Netgear VARs set to get technical
Networking vendor launches technical training scheme
Netgear has launched a technical training programme designed to give its resellers the chance to mark themselves out from the crowd.
VARs must pass a series of courses to join the networking vendor’s Specialist Accreditation Programme, which will run alongside its existing PowerShift partner programme.
Peter Airs, VAR channel director UK and Ireland at Netgear, said he hoped to push 300 to 500 channel technicians through the initiative in its first year.
“This gives resellers a professional qualification they can display on their web site,” he said. “Qualified resellers will also feature on the ‘where to buy’ section of our web site.”
Airs added that Netgear planned to beef up its lead generation activities in 2007.
Howard Russell, director of VAR Signature Networks, said: “We joined PowerShift three years ago. Other than a plaque on the wall and the occasional mail shot, Netgear has given us nothing, but this sounds more pro-active.”
The courses cost a total of £250 to complete, including examinations. But Airs said resellers would effectively offset this cost because they can take the equipment away.