This article discusses about the boom in Technical Writing and Tips on choosing a good Technical Writing Institute
Technical Writing has been around for almost a decade. However, quite recently, it has acquired widespread attention in India. The number of people interested in becoming a technical writer has increased following many openings for Technical Writers and Technical Documentation Specialists.
The recent technical writing boom in India has sprouted quite a large number of Technical Writing Institutes in India. Bangalore being the IT capital, has Technical Writing Certification Institutes which offer a course from anywhere around Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 in a duration of 15 days to 3 months. A seasoned or an experienced Technical Writer may wonder what on earth these institutes teach. Well, if there are students willing to pay, there would be institutes willing to ask for such fees when there is nothing really to learn on technical writing from an institute.
All that is required for becoming a technical writer is:
- Good or Excellent writing skills
- Basic Knowledge of Computers and Programming Languages
- Knowledge of HTML, XML, CSS and Photoshop are an advantage
If you do not have the basic writing skills, it is not recommended to purse a technical writing career.
100% Job Placement
A common statement while enquiring a course center would be, “We provide 100% Job Placements”. Well, that’s a lie.
Kavitha, who recently finished her technical writing course in a center in Bangalore India, mentions with regret, “I was told that they would provide me 100% job placement with a whole lot of other promises. But when I finished my course, there was no information about placements. When I went along with my batch mates and asked them, they mentioned that they will only guide us how to get a job and asked us to update our resumes in Naukri, Times Jobs and Monster. This was disappointing. Don’t we know how to update our resumes in job portals?” She further stated, “In the end, they did not even provide a course completion certificate rather a participation certificate after spending 30,000 rupees. It was a huge mistake I chose this institute“
Crash Courses
Do not join crash courses. You would just end up spending the money in few days instead of months. You would not be able to coupe with the speed and end up confused. Always take time while learning. You need time to learn, practice and prepare to become a technical writer.
Facilities
Check how the center is equipped to provide you all the training that is required. If the center has few computers and the student strength is outnumbered, it’s just not the right technical writing center you need to choose. The center should also have at least the most important softwares:
- Robohelp
- Frame Maker
- Adobe Photoshop
- Visio
Make sure that they also provide all required study materials. Remember you are shelling out a 5 digit fees and that’s no small a number. You need to get for what you pay.
Syllabus
An ideal technical writing course would start with the basics of writing, the difference between a content writer and a technical writer and basic writing tips, tricks and techniques.
The technical aspects of a syllabus would touch html, xml, css and should spend sufficient hours to make a newbie aware of what they are. The course should end with excellent training on Robo Help, Frame Maker and Visio – the three most common Technical Writing Tools.
If the technical writing institute is also willing to teach you Photoshop and some basic designing and formatting tips it is an added goodie to your course package.
And finally, it’s the English writing skills that finally counts. Technical Writing is just not for everyone. You can enjoy your job and excel in this lucrative career if you have a real passion for writing.
Hi, Senthil,
Even I did a course in technical Writing where I was promised 100% placement. As ususal it turned out to be a big hoax. They did not even glance at me once the course was over. It was at Infitech. But to be fair almost all the companies such as Technopoint, TWB, Infitech etc all at least behave similarly. Well it is a different matter that I got a job on my own and doing quite well now, but I would like to caution all aspiring technical Writers of the false promises made by Training companies.
Hi,
Even i did the course of technical writing from technopoint,blr. They assured for 100% placement. Finally nothing was there. I got the job in Wipro as Technical Writer on my own efforts. They have not even provided me certificate of the course. So dear aspirants be aware!!!!!!!
I am an arts graduate and had no clue about Technical Writing that is when I came across TechnoPoint. I completed the course there and got the job through campus selection and working for a reputed company and doing extremely well today. The training is good and effective.
This Comment Is Posted by Technopoint : Detected Thru IP: 122.167.110.139
Hi Garima this is Preeti here, I have bumped into you several times while I did the course at TechnoPoint. I was pretty shocked to see this input from your end. I don’t know about you but myself and three of my batch mates got the job just after we completed the course. I am yet to take up the test therefore i haven’t got the certificate, well that is because I got extremely busy with my job and don’t find time to take up the test. Do you think it is right to say “nothing was there”. Don’t you think the training helped you to get a job.
This Comment Is Posted by Technopoint : Detected Thru IP: 122.167.110.139
Forget the job, Those institutes are pathetic, they loot you like anything and dont give you a quality training too. TWB has a pathetic systems, 1990 model and who likes to work on it, I had been there for test, the system got hanged for so many times. I dont suggest TWB.
then how about joining an institute which is newly opened
like Black and white technical writing
Hello Mr. /Miss Anonymous,
Firstly, the computers you are referring to were/is being used to educate the students from government schools.
Secondly, we are not only into Technical Writing Training but also provide Technical Documentation as a service to the top IT Companies. You can view the same on our corporate website: http://www.twb.in
Further links you may visit:
TWB Education website: http://www.twb.edu.in
Alumni Blog: http://twb-dl.com/alumni/
Success Stories: http://twb.edu.in/?cat=306
TWB in the news: http://twb.edu.in/?cat=103
I am very sure you have not taken a course from us, but still please do visit us to get updated information.
Regards,
The course help me but without certification it was of no value.
Wherever i went i was asked to submit it…
I feel pity on such institutes because, after getting the job plenty of people asked me to recommend some institute for technical writing but i was not able to speakup my own institute name!!!
I didn’t even get the participant certificate
Hi Guys,
I really want to make my career in Technical Writing and want to pursue the course for the same.
can anyone tell me that which institute is the best?
Hi, This is Meyyappan from chennai .For Technical writing (International Cerification),Please visit us (ICON Centre ) & recently we start up branch in bangalore (Institute especially for Technical writing) and we are offering as one month program in regular batches & Weekend batches as 3 Months .
At the time of enrollment , we have separate assesment test with us ,which will assure about the candidate for placements.
I had enquired in TWB , as we were pursuing technical writing as a career option for my wife. She is an MCA grad with good grasp on English communication. However, she was very clear that she didnt want
to join if the course curriculum is oriented towards ’creative writing’. The lady during the enrollment vehemently denied and said there is no amount of creative writing skillset required for this.
Despite their upwardly high program cost compared to other institutes like (Black &white OR Technopoint), the decision to join was attributed to their Job assistance and the name of this institute in the market (Which I know now is inflated).
Couple points:
1. Despite their claims, their course is structured heavily around so-called creative writing.
2. Not worth the 44K they demand. Basic english grammer and good communication skills with the open source tool knowledge should get you going.
3. If you discontinue the course midway, understanding that this is not worth the time, please be aware they dont refund.
4. Recommend anyone joining to pay up only 4.5k initially and pay the remaining after attending atleast one class.
5. Most important, they dont have a concept of batch sizing or putting similar experienced trainees together. Like my wife, you may be in a class full of so-called Linguistic “Angrez Speaking’ crowd n left out.
Can any one help me to find out a better institute to do technical writing course in Chennai… With at least 100% placement assistance.. Reply me ASAP..
Hi,
Im from Business Management Background looking at Technical Writing as a Career option.Would like to know which institutes offer best quality training ,certificate and placements.Is it a good career choice?
Thanks