SQL training helps you learn Structured Query Language, or SQL, which is a computer programming language used to manipulate databases. Just as SQL comes in many forms, there are many types of SQL training available. You can get training at a training center, at your own place of business or online. Training can be at the user's own pace or instructor-led.

Knowing a little about the various forms of SQL training will help you decide which is right for your business. SQL training basics includes making the following decisions:

1. Whether you need to an SQL certifiaction and at what level;

2. Which specific flavor of SQL you need to learn, including MySQL, SQL Server, MS Access, Oracle and others;

3. And how many employees need the training and whether you have a budget for ongoing training or training of new employees that may be hired later.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out what types of training are offered for SQL education

Some training centers offer SQL server certification, which means the participant has a recognized level of knowledge and skill upon completing the course.

I recommend: Learn more about the various levels of SQL Certification from MySQL AB. View a graphic chart and learn about various SQL certification paths at the Netwind Learning Center.

Enroll in SQL training classes

Send an employee to a training center or group class off-site. To train many employees at once, schedule training at your own place of business. Classes are of different lengths depending on the required level of certification and the prior knowledge of the participants.

I recommend: Choose from several classes of varying lengths offered by Netcom. Opt to sign up for an existing class for an individual or schedule training at your place of business. View the outlines for SQL classes of varying lengths at Webucator, which offers on-site classes, online courses and many flexible options. Browse a course list for classes offered at the End to End Training facility in Orlando, Florida. Request a free quote for on-site training of your employees from SOFTEACH.

Gain flexibility and save travel costs by choosing SQL server training on CD or in online modules

SQL database training can take time away from the work day if you send your employee to off-site training or require her to miss one or more workdays for on onsite training. In addition to saving possible travel costs, you may save money if you purchase training that more than one employee can use.

I recommend: Choose online or CD classes offered by QuickCert, which allows the participant to follow at his own pace. Set up a monthly subscription at VTC that gives you access to its courses and video tutorials or choose the CD format for a one-time fee.

Learn SQL training basics with free online tutorials

Depending on the level of SQL knowledge you need, you may be able to obtain the information for free and at your own pace with online tutorials. Tutorials are short lessons focused on one specific aspect of a larger skill set. Look for tutorials organized in a logical manner if you want to get the most comprehensive training.

I recommend: Read through the extensive SQL tutorial section at the W3Schools website, where you can learn about SQL for free. Learn the fundamentals of SQL with a series of tutorials at Tizag.com that explains the various functions and types of commands.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Any training is more valuable if the participant already knows something about the subject. Before enrolling in an expensive, one-time SQL training class, take time to become familiar with SQL by looking at some online tutorials or purchasing a book.

SQL training classes are available wherever your business is located. SQL education is valuable to all the programmers in your business. SQL training can prepare your programmers to work with query data in relational database management systems, such as Oracle, DB2 and Microsoft SQL Server.

SQL certification courses can give your programmers an edge on other programmers in the industry, and SQL server classes will prepare them for any server database system.

When preparing to send your programmers to SQL training, consider the following:

1. Does the SQL course offer SQL certification?

2. Where can you find SQL server training?

3. Can you get SQL education online?

4. Do you need Oracle or just SQL classes?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find SQL classes that offer SQL certification

SQL certification is more in depth than SQL training classes. Many schools offer SQL certification as part of their programs. Programmers are more valuable with SQL certification.

I recommend: Hands On Technology Transfer, Inc., offers SQL training classes and SQL certification in more than 75 cities around the world. It has small classes and exercises that you work on while attending the SQL course. Use Computer Training Schools to find other SQL certification programs near you.

Find SQL server training for your programmers near your business

Since more companies are working on servers these days, it's important that your programmers learn to use relational databases--SQL training is the way to go. SQL server training is needed to learn how to query the databases you use in your business every day.

I recommend: Learning Tree is an international leader for management and professionals to learn SQL server training as well as all other training. They have been in business for more than 30 years and have expert instructors. Accelebrate teaches SQL server 2005 training as well as other SQL server training, and they will come to your site as long as you have 3 or more in your group.

Find online SQL classes for your programmers

If you are looking to cut costs for your SQL training, you can look into online SQL classes and tutorials for your programmers. This is also something your programmers can do on site to cut down on their time away from your business.

I recommend: SQLCourse.com is an introductory SQL tutorial, and both new users as well as experienced ones can use it. It offers easy-to-understand instructions and allows you to practice your new skills using the online SQL interpreter. Remote Course is an online SQL server training that is a low-cost alternative for small businesses that don’t have the budget for outside training or instructors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check for group discounts if you have many employees who need SQL training.
• •  You can learn SQL from online tutorials that will teach you to access and manipulate data in Oracle, DB2, Access, Sybase and other database systems.

Many companies are choosing to provide SQL training to employees. SQL training gives employees what they need to know to work in SQL. Saving money on SQL training does not mean that you have to compromise the training you provide to employees. There are many ways to save money and still give employees all the training they need to work with SQL servers and databases. If you use SQL, your company can benefit from learning how to save money on training.

There are three ways to save money on SQL training. Free online courses are available for companies with little or no training budget. SQL training CDs are good for companies with small training budgets for multiple employees. Finding study guides, practice test and lower priced certification exams allow you to have certified employees at a cheaper price. Review your companies needs and select an option below to start saving money on SQL training.

1. Locate online SQL training classes for employees.

2. Purchase SQL training CDs.

3. Find third party companies for SQL server certification exams.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find free SQL training classes online

Training courses for SQL are available online for free. Online training is self paced and mainly consist of reading and comprehending the material. If your employees have Internet access, they can take these classes at home or work.

I recommend: WebMediaBrands offers free SQL server training as well as other SQL classes free. Find free SQL server classes at W3Schools. Visit Microsoft to find free web cast SQL database training and tutorials.

Locate cheaper SQL education software

SQL training CDs are a great way to train multiple employees, without spending a lot of money. These CDs can be used to train as many employees as needed for one price. There are a few discount sites that carry SQL training software at discount prices.

I recommend: Visit BigDaddySoftware.com to discount training CDs for SQL server training. Find full training courses on multiple CDs at Business Training Media. This allows you to have one employee training with one CD while another is training with one of the other CDs.

Take certification exam SQL server classes

Certification courses and exams are the most expensive of all SQL training. Using third party of certification can save hundreds of dollars. Business can also save money by finding free practice tests and study guides for SQL server certification.

I recommend: Brainbench offers your employees the chance to take SQL server certification for cheaper rates than training facilities. Locate practice exams for SQL certification at Anventure. Visit uCertify.com to download the latest exam simulations, study guides and tutorials. ExpertRating offers SQL certification exams for low prices with discounts for retests.

Standard Query Language (SQL) training is important in today’s market since many businesses, even small businesses, use servers. You can take SQL server courses at training centers, hire instructors to come to your place of business, or find courses online and pace yourself. These courses last from three to five days and are usually very intense.

Oracle is a programming language that helps you communicate with your database. Many businesses prefer this programming language. When deciding which courses will best suit your staff, check to see if an SQL certificate is part of the course.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Standard Query Language (SQL)

SQL is a programming language that uses queries to communicate with a database.

I recommend: SQLCourse.com defines SQL and explains how it works.

SQL server courses

Many companies are using servers these days, so it is helpful and sometimes necessary to take SQL courses that apply to server maintenance.

I recommend: Accelebrate offers many SQL server courses and gives you detailed information about each of the classes and what type of experience you need to qualify.

Training center vs. on-site or in-house training

A training center is a physical location offering classes in SQL. Most training centers offer discounts if you enroll several people at one time. There are also firms that specialize in sending trainers to your place of business to conduct in-house seminars and classes.

I recommend: Learning Tree International offers a wide variety of SQL training sessions at their many locations throughout the United States. The company also provides on-site training.

Oracle

Oracle is a programming language that uses SQL. This is the programming language of choice for many companies.

I recommend: Computer Training Schools offers information on why you should consider learning Oracle.

Database

A database is a pool of data that is stored in one location. The data may be as simple as an address book or as complicated as your employee records.

I recommend: TechTarget offers a definition of a database and how you use it in computer programming.

SQL certification

SQL certification is what you receive when you finish a SQL course. Be sure the training center or course you choose gives you this option, and that the certification is recognized within your industry.

I recommend: Hands On Technology Transfer offers SQL certifications for most of its courses.