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EnglishWhat Are IT Training Classes and How Do You Choose the Right Ones?
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IT training classes are structured courses that teach specific technology skills or prepare you for a certification exam. They come in several formats—live instructor-led (online or onsite), self-paced, and blended—and are offered across domains like Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco, ITIL, cloud, cybersecurity, AI, and project management. The right class depends on three things: your goal (a certification, a new skill, or team upskilling), your current level, and whether you need a live instructor or can learn independently.
The main types of IT training classes
| Format | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Live instructor-led (online) | A real instructor teaches a scheduled session you attend remotely | People who want real-time Q&A, structure, and accountability |
| Live instructor-led (onsite) | Instructor teaches in person at a training center or your office | Teams that need hands-on, distraction-free learning together |
| Self-paced | You work through recorded or written material on your own schedule | Learners with unpredictable schedules or strong self-discipline |
| Blended | Combines self-paced prep with live sessions | Certification candidates who want both flexibility and instructor support |
New Horizons, for example, describes its model as live instructor-led online training, with courses spanning Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco, ITIL, professional development, and project management. That mix tells you the provider covers both vendor certifications and broader professional skills—useful if you're not sure yet which track fits.
Match the class to your goal
If you want a certification
Start from the certification, then find the class built for it. Certifications like CompTIA, Cisco, and ITIL each have defined exam objectives, and a good class maps its modules directly to those objectives. Ask whether the class includes exam prep, practice tests, or a voucher.
If you want a specific skill
Skip the certification framing and look at the skill domain instead. New Horizons lists categories including Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data & Analytics, DevOps, Networking, Programming, AI/Machine Learning, and Business Analysis. Pick the category that matches the work you actually do or want to do.
If you're upskilling a team
Team training differs from individual learning in a few concrete ways:
- Shared baseline — everyone starts from the same material, which reduces uneven skill levels afterward.
- Scheduling — onsite or scheduled live sessions keep a group on the same timeline.
- Relevance — courses should map to the roles on your team, not just to a general catalog.
New Horizons frames this as "training for every role" and "transform your organization," which signals team-oriented paths exist alongside individual ones. Confirm the specifics with the provider before committing.
Checkpoints before you enroll
Run through these before paying for any class:
- Prerequisites — Does the class assume prior knowledge (for example, networking fundamentals before a security course)? Enrolling above your level wastes the seat.
- Hands-on labs — For technical skills, labs matter more than slides. Ask whether the class includes a live lab environment.
- Instructor qualifications — For certification courses, look for instructors who hold the certification they teach.
- Completion credential — Will you get a certificate of completion, continuing education units, or exam readiness? Know what you walk away with.
- Format fit — If you can't attend scheduled sessions reliably, a live instructor-led class will hurt more than help. Choose self-paced instead.
A quick decision path
- Need a certification fast, with structure? → Live instructor-led class mapped to that exam.
- Learning on your own schedule? → Self-paced, with labs if the skill is hands-on.
- Training a whole team? → Onsite or scheduled live sessions, chosen by role.
- Exploring a field before committing? → Start with a foundational class in that domain, then decide on certification.
The provider's catalog is the starting point, not the answer. Match format to your schedule, level to the prerequisites, and content to your actual goal—then verify labs, instructor credentials, and what you receive at the end.