Atecs lambast MS over slack training controls

The vendor?s authorised training centres claim that freelance contractors are ruining their market

Microsoft authorised training education centres (Atecs) say they are being held to ransom by an overpriced freelance market and are blaming the software giant for failing to control the programme.

Some training contractors charge over #600 a day, according to one Atec. Some Microsoft certified trainers (MCTs) have formed co-operatives, which the training centres say are fixing prices.

The situation is reaching crisis point, said one Atec source. ?It is damaging to Microsoft as no one is managing the quality of MCTs,? he said.

?We are loath to train people just so they can walk out the door and freelance, but 60 per cent of the market is contractor-based and Atecs are being held to ransom by this. Microsoft should follow Novell, which does not allow freelance CNEs.?

Don Taylor, marketing manager at Oxford Computer Group, said Atecs that used freelance trainers deserved what they got. ?All our training staff are permanent,? he said. ?Anyone who works with contractors is asking for it, as they are expensive and make it impossible to deliver quality training.?

But Julia Jones, training and services director at Persona, said the freelance situation was a vicious circle. ?It is limiting the growth and quality of the Microsoft product, but there is a major skills shortage, and it makes us think twice about training new staff.?

Microsoft UK channel sales and marketing manager David Smith said: ?The only way to break that circle is to train up raw recruits and make them stay through strong contracts and incentive schemes.?