IT Training is, or should be, a major interest of any IT activity. But where to find out information about the ramifications of IT Training, and in a practical and readable form? Mary Clarkson's book is the answer. Developing IT Staff. A Practical Approach can be read as a training manual for IT Trainers, or as a reference handbook, or even as a series of vignettes concerning various aspects of IT Training. The book is a model of clear well-structured writing, obviously a follower of Nietzsche's quote: "It takes less time to learn how to write nobly than how to write lightly and straightforwardly" . The book is primarily aimed at team leaders in IT departments, but should also be useful in helping people who are not team leaders to understand the learning process for themselves. It provides practical guidelines on how the team leader can get people started on their skill development and support them through the learning process. It is exemplified with real exam­ ples of life as a technical specialist, and as an IT training manager. I believe that any IT concern should own this book, be it business, govern­ ment, education etc. The learning process continues indefinitely. This book assists it.

1 Background.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Main Points of this Chapter.- 1.3 Training and Education.- 1.4 How Adults Learn.- 1.5 Stakeholders.- 1.6 Team Leader's Role in Training.- 1.7 Summary.- 2 Spotting the Training Need and Getting SMART.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Main Points of this Chapter.- 2.3 Perceived Training Need.- 2.4 Checking Out the Real Training Need.- 2.5 SMART Objectives.- 2.6 Action Plan.- 2.7 Summary.- 3 Choosing between Training Methods - Short-term Options.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Main Points of this Chapter.- 3.3 Short Taught Course.- 3.4 Self-Study.- 3.5 On-the-job Training.- 3.6 Summary.- 4 Choosing between Training Methods - Long-term Options.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Main Points of this Chapter.- 4.3 Mentoring.- 4.4 Accreditations.- 4.5 Higher Education.- 4.6 Summary.- 5 Learner Support.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Main Points of this Chapter.- 5.3 Pre-Training Support.- 5.4 Post-Training Support.- 5.5 Coaching the Learner.- 5.6 Action Groups.- 5.7 Summary.- 6 Evaluation: Was It Worth It?.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Main Points of this Chapter.- 6.3 Why Evaluate: What Evaluation is For.- 6.4 When and How to Evaluate.- 6.5 Remedies When Training Did Not Work.- 6.6 Is It Worth Evaluating?.- 6.7 Summary.- 7 Career Development.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Main Points of this Chapter.- 7.3 Experience as a Development Method.- 7.4 Defining Job Roles.- 7.5 Moving From Role to Role.- 7.6 Developing Within a Role.- 7.7 Support From Professional Societies.- 7.8 Summary.- 8 Skill Assessment.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Main Points of this Chapter.- 8.3 Technical Testing.- 8.4 Performance Appraisals.- 8.5 Psychometric Testing.- 8.6 Assessment Centres and Development Centres.- 8.7 Summary.- 9 Soft Skills - Can They Be Taught?.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Main Points of thisChapter.- 9.3 What Are Soft Skills?.- 9.4 Which Ones Are Important?.- 9.5 Developing Soft Skills.- 9.6 Challenges We Face.- 9.7 Summary.- 10 Wider Organizational Picture.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Main Points of this Chapter.- 10.3 Organizational Structure and Impact on Training.- 10.4 About Large Training Programmes.- 10.5 Setting Up Large Training Programmes.- 10.6 Training in the Smaller IT Department.- 10.7 Summary.- 11 Trainees: New Entrants to IT.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Main Points of this Chapter.- 11.3 What Trainees Need to Know.- 11.4 How to Develop Trainees.- 11.5 Organizing the Training.- 11.6 Graduate Entrants.- 11.7 Mature Entrants.- 11.8 Encouraging Trainees.- 11.9 Summary.- 12 Into the Future.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 Main Points of this Chapter.- 12.3 Planning for Future Skills.- 12.4 Analysing Future Needs.- 12.5 Carrying Out the Training.- 12.6 Supporting Self Development.- 12.7 Does the Future Ever Come?.- 12.8 Summary.