ACT's training facility is located in Sarasota, Florida. The training center provides Microsoft Certification Boot camps, but exceeds expectations by providing a lasting value and continued support to it's students.
Advanced Custom Training Facility
Located in Sarasota, Florida, ACT's training facility is state of the art. Classrooms are spacious and class sizes remain small. There is adequate room for students to spread out with their books, computers, and notepads. The facility has nice break areas, is clean, and is well lit. The chairs in the facility are comfortable - an important feature for a student who sits in them all day.
ACT maintains the most current software on the classroom computers. The computers are well maintained, have plenty of memory, and are free of detrimental programs that may interfere with learning. Computers have internet access. There is also a wireless network in place for students wishing to carry their own laptops to participate. Certification exams are done on ACT provided laptops, which are specifically set up for this purpose.
Microsoft Certification Training on MS SQL Available
ACT offers boot camps for Microsoft Certifications in several areas. The technologies covered include Desktop Support, Windows 7, Windows 2008, Visual Studio, and Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and 2008. For Microsoft's SQL training, specific classes available are a 14 day camp, which includes 4 certifications in SQL 2008 Database Administration and Development. Alternatives to this are seven day camps which cover these two areas independently. The final offering is the Business Intelligence Developer camp, which covers Microsoft SQL's Reporting Services in depth.
SQL Certified Instructor
The owner of Advanced Custom Training, Chester Flake, is also one of the instructors. Mr. Flake has earned and maintains most Microsoft Certifications, including the SQL certifications that he provides instruction on. His curriculum is focused on real world activities with heavy lab content so that students are engaged in the activities. Throughout the courses, Mr. Flake maintains a sense of humor, and engages students with interesting stories and jokes without detracting from the course material.
Mr. Flake breaks away from the standard boot camp mentality by spending the majority of classroom time teaching genuine material to ensure that his students can do more then simply pass the certification. During class, the topics on the test are not discussed in detail, but the concepts that will be needed to pass the certification exams are thoroughly covered. Students leave the boot camp experience with the knowledge to support the new certifications.
The training of the students doesn't stop at the end of the courses. Mr. Flake provides a student portal website to all of his students where they can access message boards, additional training content, and resources after the class. This resource allows students to network and seek help from others at any time.
Advanced Custom Training Review
ACT fills a desperately needed void in the IT training industry. Many boot camps are dedicated to the passing of the test rather then the teaching of the material. Employers know this, and consider certifications with wary eyes. Training of the type Mr. Flake is providing may help to diffuse this stereotype in the future.
Erin Toombs - I am a mom of two children under the age of 10. My oldest daughter was identified as "gifted" prior to starting pre-k. I believe my ...
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