Do You Know Where Your Training Is Taking YOU?
If you’re new to online IT training this guide can help you.
Look, we know a newcomer searching the internet for training options might feel overwhelmed with all the new terminology and concepts you’ll find.
This guide will cover some of the more popular training alternatives and technologies you can pick from.
If you’re totally new to IT there’s no need to worry!
There are so many great free, pay-per-use, and subscription-based online training resources available that offer step-by-step training.
Look, we understand that being a beginner in the IT field can be tough.
But listen, nowadays, it’s amazing options to choose from.
Not only that, but the internet is full of training resources that are free to use, including video tutorials, ebooks, and articles.
There’s a growing list of paid and free training services that offer IT training for beginners. In a minute we’ll cover the pros and cons. of 7 alternatives.
What’s important is to choose the training platform that best suits your way of learning.
Learn IT skills at your own pace…
You don’t have to be a computer expert to get started with online IT training.
There are plenty of courses and tutorials that can teach you the basics. Then you can scale up from there. Learn at your own pace.
Here are some great reasons why you should consider enrolling in a training course:
- You will be able to brush up on your knowledge and skills.
- You can try out new things without any major commitment or time investment.
- You can learn at your own pace without having to worry about deadlines.
- There are usually free options you can try before paying for anything.
There are so many great free and fee-based resources on the internet that will teach you everything you need to know.
We’re about to dive into a few of the best online training options that include step-by-step videos, how-to guides, and more.
So don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed at first – there is plenty of help available to get you started in the tech field of your choice.
Best Online IT Training For Beginners
My Fee-based IT Training Pick
1. Udemy Online IT Training – (Beginner to Advanced Courses)
Pros
- Large collection of training courses that cover any technology
- High-quality step by step training taught by experts
- Labs and practice exams to help get you certified.
- Pay per use, no monthly subscription required.
- Easy no-questions-asked return policy.
- Great prices during promotions.
Cons:
- Some training courses are expensive when they are not on promotion.
- Sometimes the training can contain long Branding Intros.
- Some videos are hard to understand.
Sample Udemy Training Video About Project Management Fundamentals
To learn more, please see my Udemy review for the best VMware vSphere training for beginners to discover why Udemy on-demand is my favorite fee-based training provider.
Fee-based IT Training Runner ups
2. CBT Nuggets Online Training (Serious IT Pros & Developers)
CBT Nuggets is a recognized group of trainers who for years have been providing technical training via videos.
Today they have matured into a leader in online training. Their online course catalog now includes too many training videos to list here. And some of the more interesting videos that caught my eyes were on Cloud, VMware, and Linux.
Pros
- Large assortment of great technical training courses.
- High-quality step-by-step training taught by experts.
- Virtual Labs, coaches, and practice exams to help get you certified.
- Clear English speaking instructions.
- No Branding Intros before each video.
- Free 7-day trial to test them out.
- Free courses
Cons
- Subscription-based – $59.00 per month ($599.00 per year)
Sample CBT Nugget Video Course:
*Prices are subject to change by CBT Nuggets.
Overall I liked what CBT Nuggets offers for IT professionals and people like me. I could imagine getting pulled into hours of video training on VMware vSphere as well as video tutorials unrelated to certification preparation.
3. Pluralsight Online Training (Formerly Trainsignal) – (Serious IT Pros & Developers)
Pluralsight has a list full of online training courses for IT but also drives deep into video training for IT professionals and developers.
Pros
- Large assortment of great technical training courses.
- High-quality step-by-step training taught by experts.
- Virtual Labs, coaches, and practice exams to help get you certified.
- Clear English speaking instructions.
- No Branding Intros before each video.
- Free 14-day trial to test them out.
- Free courses
Cons
- Subscription-based – $399.00 (per year for starter plan)
Pluralsight Video Overview (Sorry, I could not find any non-promotional videos on Youtube)
*Prices are subject to change by Pluralsight.
Overall I liked what Pluralsight offers for IT professionals and developers. I could imagine getting pulled into hours of video training on Docker as well as video tutorials unrelated to containers.
4. LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda Online) – Business & Creative Professionals Courses
After visiting LinkedIn Learning, I noticed there was more course content for people looking for training for creative jobs like web design, photography, video & audio editing.
They also have a nice selection of technical tutorials on development and coding, but they don’t go as deep as Udemy, Pluralsight, or CBT Nuggets.
Pros
- Large assortment of great business and creative training courses.
- High-quality step-by-step training taught by experts.
- Clear English speaking instructions.
- No Branding Intros before each video.
- Free 7-day trial to test them out.
- Free courses
Cons
- Subscription-based – $39.00 (per month)
Sample Training Video (Sorry I could only find LinkedIn Learning non-promotional videos on Youtube)
*Prices subject to changes by LinkedIn.
Overall I liked what LinkedIn Learning had to offer for business professionals and people like me with more creative intent in mind. Honestly, I could imagine getting pulled into hours of video training myself on WordPress and other video tutorials unrelated to IT.
My Free IT Training Pick
5. YouTube (Free)
Finally, let’s not forget YouTube. I saved my favorite freebie for last.
Pros
- An unlimited assortment of training courses.
- Free
Cons
- The training videos are filled with advertisements that can be very distracting.
- In some cases, the training is not a complete series.
- Some videos are hard to understand.
I’ve spent hour upon hour watching tutorial videos on YouTube. That’s right; I’ve learned more about vSphere, WordPress, and SEO on YouTube than anywhere else. And, best of all, it was free!
Free IT Training Runner ups
6. VMware Hands-On Lab (Free)
VMware Fling training is a great way to learn about VMware products. There are a variety of different courses available, and they are all free to use. You can learn about topics such as vSphere, vSAN, NSX, and more. You can also learn about specific VMware products like vRealize Automation, or AirWatch.
Pros
- A limited assortment of training courses.
- High-quality step-by-step training taught by experts.
- Clear English speaking instructions.
- Free courses
Cons
- The training courses only cover VMware products.
VMware Fling Training Video Sample Course
It’s a must-visit for VMware beginners.
7. Microsoft Virtual Academy (Free)
Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) offers free online training from Microsoft experts on a variety of topics. You can access MVA courses from your computer, tablet, or phone. Some of the popular courses available on MVA include:
- Windows 10: Deploying and Managing with Operating System Center
- Azure IaaS – From Beginner to Pro
- Introduction to PowerShell for Administrators
Pros
- A limited assortment of training courses.
- High-quality step-by-step training taught by experts.
- Clear English speaking instructions.
- Free courses
Cons
- The training courses only cover Microsoft products.
Microsoft Virtual Academy Training Video Sample
MVA is another cool place online for learning what’s new. Â Microsoft technology is always changing, and MVA is a place where IT staff can keep up.
Free & Fee-Based Training Alternatives
In conclusion, I hope this list of free and fee-based IT training resources for beginners has been useful to you.
Remember, though: there are no shortcuts to success. You have to put in the time to learn anything!
While these resources can teach you the fundamentals and get you familiar with the lingo, only hard work and a commitment to increasing your knowledge and skills will take you to the next level.
Here are more helpful guides and courses for you:
Adele
Thank you for the information. This is what I am looking for, and great break down for beginners, intermediate, and advanced.
For learning IT.
Joe Sanchez
Thanks for your comment, Adele! 🙂