ITSMP Diploma and Tuition Reimbursement

ITSM Academy's IT Service Management Professional (ITSMP)^SM Diploma Program offers diplomas in three (3) occupational disciplines based on IT Service Management (ITSM) best practices, frameworks and standards. The career paths are:
· Change Manager (ITSMP-CM)^SM
· Support Manager (ITSMP-SM)^SM
· Service Level Manager (ITSMP-SLM)^SM

View ITSM Diploma Tracks

Many of our learners have come to us for advise on securing Tuition Reimbursement for their education. The primary question is, "Will my company pay for my tuition?"

If your organization has an established Tuition Reimbursement policy, of course they will. You just need a business case stating the relevance of the education and and little patience. With this, your educational aspirations can be achieved.

But what if your company doesn’t publish a Tuition Assistance policy? In our experience, just because they don’t currently offer reimbursement doesn’t mean they aren’t open to the idea. It might just mean that no one has asked. Since Tuition Reimbursement is typically funded through the Human Resources’ benefit program, the cost of your training may not impact your department’s budget and you may be able to work with your boss to capitalize on this opportunity.

A great way to approach it is to create a list of ways your education will benefit the company:

• In the course of the program, you will be earning five (5) internationally recognized certifications
• Your new skills are based on industry standard best practices
• This education will make you more productive at work
• You will be able to take on additional assignments
• You will be able to be a leader in the workplace

Your list should be part of a short business case which includes the following benefits of earning an ITSMP Diploma from ITSM Academy.

Number one: Value

Most employers are concerned about the expense of
employee education.

Demonstrate that the benefits outweigh the costs and be as specific as possible. We can help you put together a precise list of skills you will be learning. Remind them that in addition to earning an ITSMP diploma, you will also achieve industry recognized certifications. Since each ITSMP track has been built to ensure that students are equipped with ALL of the skills needed to succeed in a specific process management position, you will be better positioned to take a leadership role when needed. Also, remind them that paying your tuition may cost less than hiring a new employee with the skills you are learning, not to mention the cost of training the new recruit.

Number two: Longer Employee Retention

One of the best ways to prove your commitment is to sign a retention agreement. This ensures that you will stay with the organization for a specific period of time after earning your diploma. Most companies who offer tuition reimbursement already have this in place.

Number three: Competitive Advantage

Specifically demonstrate how your diploma will relate to your current (or proposed) position. Cite examples of how your new skills can be applied to IT Operations. From the ITSMP Catalog, show them the courses which you will be taking. Explain how the courses benefit the IT Department and the overall organization, by completing this unique combination of education. And remember, studies show that an educated workforce will keep your employers ahead of the competition.

Your ITSMP diploma will move your company’s IT Service Management initiatives forward. And what do we know about ITSM? Done right, it will implement and internalize best practices, improve productivity and reduce costs. So when you think of it that way, your employer will reduce operational costs by funding your education!

All Virtual Learning is Not the Same.

I recently delivered ITSM Academy's first courses in our new Virtual Classroom. It was a great experience - the learners were highly engaged and the pass rates were as high as our physical classroom delivery. I am excited about the possibilities that virtual learning brings and will be working with our team to rapidly expand our online course catalog.

There is certainly a growing interest in web-based ITSM learning. Sparked partially by financial and logistical travel constraints, the opportunity to gain both knowledge and certification from the comfort of your computer is very attractive. The good news is that the capabilities of training organizations such as ITSM Academy to meet this need is growing with the interest.

If you are considering online learning, it is important to understand that the terms "e-learning" or "virtual learning" are often used interchangeably to represent a range of uniquely different approaches. By definition, "e-learning" is "electronic learning"and can include:

• Instructor Led or Virtual Classroom courses: The learner is scheduled to attend one or more "live" interactive sessions with an instructor using a collaboration tool. Sessions will include audio, video and web-based activities. Supplemental materials may be available 24/7 such as recordings, quizzes and ancillary materials.
  
• Self-paced or On-demand courses: The learner takes the course independently at his/her own pace, the courseware is available 24/7 and an instructor may be available for questions via email or other electronic communication. The courseware can be anything from interactive animations to previously recorded sessions.
  
• Instructor-guided courses: This is self-paced learning with an instructor guiding how and when modules and assignments are to be completed. There are no live sessions, but the instructor is an active participant and there may be a class forum for threaded discussions.
  
• Blended courses: Combines elements of Self-paced and Instructor Led online courses.

What is the right e-learning approach for you? As always, the answer is "it depends!"

Instructor led training is highly interactive and attempts to simulate the group dynamics of a physical classroom. There is immediate access to a "live" instructor so that questions can be posed, discussed and answered. Sessions are scheduled for specific dates and times, but usually do not consume an entire day. The sessions can be supplemented with recordings and offline work. Instructor led training may take longer to complete, but has a finite timeline. It is best to schedule the sessions on your calendar as if you were in a physical classroom. It can be applied to all levels of certification as long as the number of required contact hours is met. This is ITSM Academy's approach to virtual learning.

Self-paced learning is often referred to as "e-learning". It is very flexible, but requires commitment and discipline since it has an open-ended timeline. It is best to create a realistic learning path of no more than two hours in one sitting. As a result, self-paced learning will take longer to complete but can accommodate an individual's availability. It is best suited for foundation level training. Contact hours and progress are typically managed through a Learning Management System. The Qualification Board is currently reviewing the e-learning guidelines for Intermediate courses and it is unlikely that total self-paced learning at the advanced levels will be sanctioned.

Instructor-guided courses are found primarily in academic settings where a course extends over several weeks and there are required (and perhaps graded) assignments. This method works better with longer or more advanced topics.

Most ITSM virtual classes today lean heavily towards Instructor-led or Self-paced with some elements of blended learning. Blended learning will continue to evolve and may be driven by the more prescriptive guidance issued by the ITIL Qualification Board.

ITSM Academy has chosen the Instructor-led method for our Virtual Classroom with blended elements. I strongly believe that quality ITSM training is so much more than memorizing a bunch of concepts. Instructor-led virtual learning encourages learner participation, ensures completion and creates a group dynamic. It is the discussion, debate and practical application of those concepts that creates true value for our learners. Can you achieve certification through the other methods? Yes. Will the learner experience be the same? No.

V3 Qualification Scheme Book of Rules

An official description of the V3 Qualification Scheme has been published. Framed as a "Book of Rules", this document is much more detailed than previously release information.

It begins with clear definitions of each of the players in the ITIL market (APM Group, itSMF, OGC, TSO, Examination Institutes, Accredited Training Organizations). As the ITSM industry has evolved, there has not been enough quality communication about the roles, responsibilities and relationships between these parties. Even for vendors, this has often been confusing.

Most importantly, this document clarifies the credit program as well as the purpose, contents and requirements for the different course types (particularly the Intermediate Courses). Bridging and common questions are addressed. There are also suggested options for courses that can lead to ITIL Expert designation.

This is the most comprehensive description of the scheme that I seen to date and is certainly worth the time to read. You can download the full document at http://www.itsmacademy.com/Page.bok?file=resources.html#whitepaper.