CCNA with Firebrand.

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 12:29

Hey all,

In my quest to getting the job I want in the future I have decided to start by doing my CCNA whilst I'm in work. I was told "If it benefits the company then we'll pay for it"... So, we shall see.

Doing some research I came across a course that lasts 5 days, includes accommodation, meals, training and the exam at the end.

Does this sound legitimate? Has anyone done it this way before?

Thanks.

Vtec9k · 3 Jul 2012 at 12:42

I did an mcse bootcamp a few years ago with them. Hard work and long days but it was good.

randomshenans · 3 Jul 2012 at 12:47

Did my MCITP EA with them. Was there 2 weeks. Absolutely shattering but I had a great teacher and the course was really good. My work paid as well, I wouldn't have forked out the cost for it!

kalvindeane · 3 Jul 2012 at 12:59

It is indeed legitimate.

I wouldn't do it without any previous Cisco or general networking knowledge though.

Boot camps like these are all about learning as quickly as possible to complete the exams.

If you go in there without any knowledge, chances are you'll forget everything that
you've learnt after a month has passed and it won't have helped you learn much.

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:00

It is a lot to fork out, £ 3,075 (3,690 Inc. VAT)... I'm hoping my company will say yes to paying for me. However I'm not sure what the likeliness of that is.

It's good to hear others have use them so it's a trusted service though!

kalvindeane said:
It is indeed legitimate.

I wouldn't do it without any previous Cisco or general networking knowledge though.

Boot camps like these are all about learning as quickly as possible to complete the exams.

If you go in there without any knowledge, chances are you'll forget everything that
you've learnt after a month has passed and it won't have helped you learn much.

I was thinking of doing the October session, which gives me time to study up till that point, gaining prior knowledge. Would that be advised?

randomshenans · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:03

Barter with them. You never pay the final price if you ask for a discount. They will come down!

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:04

QuickLink said:
Barter with them. You never pay the final price if you ask for a discount. They will come down!

Really? I didn't think companies would operate like that! Market traders - sure!

But if that really does work, then that would be brilliant.

kalvindeane · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:08

I've heard that they can be bartered with by quite a significant number of people as well.

randomshenans · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:12

I think work paid like 5.5-6k for mine, when back then it was up at like ~9k!

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:13

kalvindeane said:
I've heard that they can be bartered with by quite a significant number of people as well.

I'll give them a call and find out!

QuickLink said:
I think work paid like 5.5-6k for mine, when back then it was up at like ~9k!

Ouch! Well, if it is worth it then you've got a fair deal!

Showboat · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:15

You can usually get 10-20% if you ask nicely!
I was due to do a 7 day course with them... its pretty brutal.. 12 hour days in the lab followed by homework, they are really good courses.

Narj · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:16

QuickLink said:
Barter with them.

What? Offer them a few goats in exchange for a course? :confused:

randomshenans · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:30

I offered my soul. They took it.

oli356 · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:39

I don't think I could ever take in that much knowledge within 5 days.

Would exhaust my little brain. Much prefer taking my time with it, doing plenty of labs; have completed the CCENT so half way there!

Ev0 · 3 Jul 2012 at 14:39

Anyone who pays list price for training courses is a mug

Used to get some great discounts from QA, Firebrand not so much but still can expect 25% off if the course date is looming and they've not filled all the places yet.

As said the bootcamps are good for people who already have some knowledge and experience in the field and just want to get the certs done in minimal amount of time.

They are not good for people who are new to a subject matter who want to learn it, the pace is too quick to linger on things as they really are there to get you to pass the exam.

Personally I like them, gets things done and out the way quickly without distractions, but then I'm not great at self studying to prefer an instructor lead course.

Last one I did there was 7 days, but as with all their courses you actually start the night before (as you get there then and stay that night) and the last day was also all exam rather than any lesson time.

DAIR · 3 Jul 2012 at 14:42

I know of these guys. Based in West London iirc. Been speaking with a man called Krishna from there for almost a year now lol (My last employer planned to send me there before I left).

Seem like a great bunch and would def use their services.... Try to get work to pay as they're not cheap!

randomshenans · 3 Jul 2012 at 14:54

They have places all around, but I stayed up at Wyboston Lakes.

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 15:07

QuickLink said:
They have places all around, but I stayed up at Wyboston Lakes.

Wyboston Lakes is about 2 miles from where I live. Would costs be cheaper if I didn't include meals/accommodation? Or would it just be worthwhile staying anyway just because there would be no need to get up and drive every morning?

randomshenans · 3 Jul 2012 at 15:09

I'd stay there. We spent a lot of time working together outside the class too. They have a bar onsite and we would often go to the bar and work there (which was surprisingly effective!) grab a beer and site around quizzing each other.
Since we did spend 14hrs in a class room and then a few more hours going over stuff as well, I'd recommend being there.

Mr.Stu · 3 Jul 2012 at 15:11

You don't need to pay for a training course for CCNA. Source your own material (books/videos/forums) and combine this with GNS3.