Effective IT Training

The best way to assure competency through training is to determine what tasks the trainees need to perform in their job, and have them actually perform those tasks during the training. HOTT's course design and development process begins with a task-orientation focused on creating true competency, and our small class sizes assure that instructors can focus course content to your specific needs. The best way to assure competence is through facilitated hands on practice. Our students spend at least 50% of their time in class performing structured hands on lab exercises that build competence, confidence, and clarity. Our courses never teach to certification tests – they focus on competency, because competent people will pass the certification tests.

People learn by doing. Educational psychologists generally agree that we learn and remember 80% of what we experience or practice, versus only 10-20% of what we read or hear. Even the most ardent suppliers of e-learning programs admit that instructor-led training is at least 20% more effective in meeting learning goals and achieving retention. For this reason, HOTT courses are always designed to spend at least half of the class-time working hands on with the technologies. And our small class sizes assure substantial interaction and facilitation by your instructor.

Hands on labs are a very good idea, it solidifies the learning more than I have experienced in other classes.
– S.N., Sirius Satellite Radio

HOTT’s hands on labs include comprehensive problem solving exercises. To facilitate and accelerate the development of quality solutions, students work in teams with active involvement by the instructor. Studies show social interaction and sharing of information ensure faster progress and greater retention. This method of learning allows the instructor ample time to deliver relevant assistance and provide insight at each lab station. The net result is a more complete and engaging learning experience.

Many training providers, even some of the largest ones, often concentrate first on winning the business, and then on finding an instructor and placing responsibility for providing courseware on that instructor. These "virtual" training providers own no courseware and have no course developers on staff. This is the best-kept secret of the technical training industry. Too few customers ask the question, "Do you own and control your courseware?" Since control of courseware offers so many advantages, virtual training providers cannot hope to provide any guarantee of total success.

We control our own courseware to provide first rate support for presentations. Our student guides and hands on exercises are constantly updated and improved, using both direct feedback from students and the instructors' own observations of what works best in the classroom.

Experts agree that intense hands on practice drives up competence and retention. That's why HOTT places special emphasis on hands on exercises in each course that we deliver. Most leased courseware falls far short in this area. It takes extra effort and substantial knowledge to create robust, well documented exercises. Companies that offer courseware for lease need to provide exercises that appeal to the lowest common denominator; furthermore leased courseware cannot assume that complex software setup will necessarily be available to support competency-based labs. As a result, lab exercises in leased courses can border on the trivial, and are rarely complete in the sense of exercising all the skills being taught.

This is my second HOTT class. The instructors, materials, and experience are excellent. Best training I've had in both cases. Highly recommend this company.
– B.G., Vulcan Materials Company

Our ownership of most of the courseware we use also keeps our variable costs down. We hope you'll notice that those cost savings are being passed on to you, our customers.

Finally, ownership of our courseware means that when we deliver training at your facility, we can focus the presentation as appropriate, and at no extra charge to you. Our course library offers a broad range of materials to support a variety of topics.

We know that professionals want to learn from professionals. Our instructors are not new to programming, nor are they new to the industrial training environment.

• Our instructors are cross-trained in multiple related technologies.
• They average over 10 years of industrial teaching experience.
• They know about and can contrast competing technologies.
• Audits of applicants show that less than 10% of all instructors teaching for our competitors meet our strict standards. The remaining 90% lack the qualifications and experience to teach for HOTT.

I really liked the format of the class – the labs gave me a chance to apply what was being discussed in class as well as giving me a chance to work with the tool. The instructor brought a lot of industry experience to the table and was able to further clarify various examples with real experiences which I found to be invaluable.
– K.R., Trican Well Service

Our management understands that you don't throw an instructor unfamiliar with a technology at a class just to "preserve the deal." HOTT upper management has been in the computer training industry since 1979; we have the contacts, the know-how, and the commitment to provide excellent instruction – every time.

HOTT offers regularly scheduled open-enrollment classes at frequent intervals in 16 cities across the United Kingdom. You won't have to wait to get the training you need and chances are you won't have to travel far to get it either. With HOTT's convenient schedule and multiple training locations there is the potential to lower or even eliminate the travel portion of your training budget. When it comes to IT training you should be in control of when and where you study and it is a major goal of ours to make sure you have that control.

HOTT offers a remote attendance option for students who are not located near a training location and are unable to travel. Remote access students attend the same live training delivery as students in the classroom. HOTT will ship course materials including a PC and audio/video equipment to your home or office. Two-way video and audio communication allows participation as close to "being there" as possible.

I was impressed with the level of support for remote attendance. Thanks to Rob for taking the time to ensure everything was set up and working ahead of class.
– J.M., First Tech Federal Credit Union

Remote attendance is not a webinar. It is not "e-learning." It is not a "virtual classroom" experience. Remote attendees participate in a live class and benefit from the interactions between other students and the instructor, such as real-time questions and answers, and have the opportunity to actively participate as well. The hands on lab equipment which is shipped to remote attendees is the same as that provided in the classroom. Via remote viewing and control software, the instructor can monitor lab work and respond to any issues during the exercises, in much the same way that the instructor is monitoring lab work in the physical classroom.

One of the primary determinants of the success of instructor-led training classes [besides the competency of the instructor] is the accessibility students have to ask questions, get help when they need it, and receive appropriate guidance. Our open enrollment classes average less than 12 students.

This course provided a great understanding of concepts and methodology for C# .NET. The small classroom size was extremely beneficial to the learning experience.
– K.S., Apex Consulting Group, Inc.

That means less waiting around to receive help during lab, more time spent discussing relevant problem domains, and more direct contact with the instructor. For many students it's very important to be able to discuss their specific action plan and opportunities on the job to apply what they're learning. That's just not possible if there are 20 to 30 people in a public class.

Most companies that require software skills training spend too much on it and don't get the full value that can be realized. You can't leverage the advantages of great training without cost control. At HOTT we offer you a cost-effective, total solution. Our prices for both open-enrollment and on site training classes are among the lowest in the industry. The availability of open-enrollment classes in 16 cities and on site training options help minimize or, in some cases, eliminate your travel costs. And, you pay no additional fees for application, registration, or cancellation. Unlike HOTT, many training providers charge unnecessary fees for cancellations or changes.

HOTT's cost-effective, total solution allows you to plan in advance and make changes if necessary without any hassle and without any financial penalty.

HOTT's customer service is unparalleled in the IT training industry. Tailored discount packages allow you to exploit our multiple locations if you have personnel dispersed across the country.

Course instructor and HOTT customer service far exceeded my expectations. We will definitely look at using HOTT for future training.
– J.R., Safeco

If you require mentoring on a particular subject when you're through with class, our instructors are always available to you for assistance. HOTT strives to make every student comfortable within their newly learned skill-set. We want you to excel at your job when you're through with the training and when it comes to certification we want you to pass your exams. If a student is not confident in their abilities after training with HOTT, they also have the option to retake all or part of the course again for no additional charge. If a student lacks confidence we will work with him or her to develop the understanding that leads to confidence as well as competence.

There are a surprising number of unscrupulous training providers and a training budget can certainly be consumed without producing an appropriate result. You need a training company that will lower your risk and assure your success – every time. At HOTT we provide you unbeatable success guarantees that other companies can't touch.

HOTT presents the best quality and value available today. Our customer service policies and guarantees assure that you get quality training when you want it, and at the lowest total cost available from any source. We want you to get the architectural insight and accelerated learning path that you came for. Every time. If you're not totally satisfied for any reason, simply withdraw before the second day of any class. Notify the instructor and return all course materials and you will receive a 100% refund.

When you choose HOTT, you eliminate your risk and receive high-quality training – every time.