Training and seminars on information technology are important in any kind of business. This is primarily due to the fact that most operations and processes in business rely on computer and other technological tools. The acquisition and availability of information technology will be ineffective and senseless if the employees who are supposed to use such, do not know how.

IT training is basically composed of lectures and discussions of how to use, create, and construct information technology tools such as computer hardware, various computer software, computer programs, computer applications, and computer operating systems. This kind of training covers a wide range of topics and various forms of specializations. IT training is also categorized according to the type of IT skills being disseminated and the type of certification and qualification that will be gained.

IT Training and IT Skills

These days, there are many companies that offer IT training for businesses. Evidently, most of these trainings are provided by the manufacturers and developers of the IT tools and equipment. However, some companies composed of skilled IT professionals also provide training.

Before availing of any IT seminar or workshop, the company should first be able to assess what type of IT skills is required for the business. To add to that, the company should also be able to assess what IT skills do its employees already possess. By comparing the needed IT skills for the business and the present IT skills of the employees, the company will then be able to identify what more IT skills are necessary.

The various types of IT skills

Prior to IT training, categorization and identification of the present IT skills of the employees is necessary. Basically, the company can classify the skills of its labor force according to the kind of the know-how that each employee have which are as follows:

Application-oriented skills:

These IT skills refer to those that are used when working with application software packages. Among the most well known computer applications are the ???Office applications??? that allow users to create documents and presentations (i.e. MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, MS Publisher and other basic applications).

In addition to these office applications are the more complex software that allow the user to design graphics and construct computer images and web pages such as Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Dream weaver, Corel Draw, AutoCAD, and many more.

Development skills:

These IT skills are those that are commonly possessed by computer programmers, developers, and database administrators. These are used to construct or modify computer software, computer programs, and systems. These are the skills that are usually required for the IT personnel of the company. If an employee is equipped with development skills, he is expected to be very knowledgeable with both the hardware and the software components of computers and computer systems.

Operations skills:

These IT skills are those used to maintain the efficiency and security of computer systems and infrastructure. Such type of skills requires basic knowledge of both application-oriented and development skills. These skills are often required for computer engineers.