Database administrator : Training

Most training is provided on the job. It is technical in nature to ensure that you are up to speed with software developments and supplemented by short, internal or external courses as appropriate. Career progression will be helped by taking additional courses, and experienced staff are expected to have completed a database certification programme such as Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) or Oracle Database Certification.

In-house courses may also cover 'soft skills' training in communication, time management and customer service skills. To understand user needs, database administrators (DBAs) must be able to work in multidisciplinary teams, often including senior managers, and additional training may be given in this area, along with sessions on company products and procedures.

Formal training is more likely in larger companies than in small ones, where on-the-job training is the norm and the provision of technical manuals, CD-ROMs and web-based programmes for self-study is typical. Larger companies may offer mentoring schemes and tailor training to facilitate individual development plans.

It is vital to keep your technical skills up to date. Professional qualifications, which are delivered by the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT) , the Institute for the Management of Information Systems (IMIS) and the SFIA Foundation (Skills Framework for the Information Age) provide a means for IT professionals to monitor and develop their skills.

e-skills UK - The Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology has developed the e-skills Professional Programme that aims to provide a modular training programme to support the professional development of graduate IT professionals during the early years of their career.