Summer training programs–all you need to know before you shell out your money

Mukesh Kumar is the director of RCPL, the summer-training delivery partner for HP and Oracle among other companies. RCPL has trained over 1 lakh students in the last 7 years with a total of 10 million man hours. Mr. Kumar has been in the industry for over 17 years. He tells us everything one must know about summer training programs, and gives extremely valuable advice to students:

Q1.) In your experience of delivering one of the best-known training programs in India, does a summer training program give a student an edge in the job market?

Definitely. When internships and industry interface were first conceptualized, the number of industries offering internships was high. Today, the number of students has risen as also the cost of providing internships. A good training program conducted in a strict manner not only adds value to your profile but also gives you opportunities to learn and explore your potential in a particular field. Today companies also look for certificates before they hire someone; so summer training programs certainly give you an edge.

Q2.) What characterizes a good training program? Before shelling out money for a training program, what parameters must a student evaluate the program against?

Evaluate a training program against the following parameters before enrolling:

1. The quality of training provided and the company’s track record;
2. Duration of the training, measured in hours (not weeks or months). The training must be direct and in a controlled environment;
3. Clarity about the curriculum. Look for specifics about what you will be taught.
4. A good helpdesk. Your queries must be answered and you must receive all the assistance you require.
5. Discipline in the program. The rules about punctuality and attendance must be rigid.
6. Feedback. Your feedback must be asked for during the training, and it must be acted upon as well.
7. Value addition, apart from the training. For example, at HPES we train our students to handle job interviews too.
8. Recognition for the certificate. Is the certificate recognized worldwide?
9. Recognition and awards in class: will your performance during the training be recognized in the form of awards, certificates or cross-training?

Q3.) How much value does the brand name add to a summer training certificate?

A well-known brand will always try to live up to its reputation. They will try to ensure that their training quality meets international standards. So yes, the brand name adds value to a certificate by ensuring unparalleled quality.

Q4.) The summer training industry is grossly unregulated, allowing poor training and unrecognized certificates. Should government accreditation be made compulsory for training programs? What other mechanisms do you think can safeguard interest of the students?

The government might not be able to ensure quality everywhere. Colleges must not accept poor quality projects: this will directly ensure that students study and take their training seriously. Also, training programs must be conducted in a strict manner, attendance should be compulsory and tests should be monitored.

Q5.) What would be your top 3 advices to students joining a summer training this year on how they can make the most of the training program?

1. Be clear about your intentions. Do you really want to learn or do you just want a certificate?
2. Don’t get a training certificate: train and get a certificate.
3. Follow your heart. Do what you want to do, not what all your friends are doing.

We hope this helped you arrive at a decision!

Disclosure: – Internshala is a marketing partner for HP Education Services Summer Training Program which is delivered by RPCL.