So you like databases and you want to get in on some of this e-commerce action--you want to be an Oracle programmer. Now all you have to do is figure out how to get the training you need to make your IT ambitions a reality. Well, Oracle has recently revamped its training and certification programs to make it easier than ever to get involved with databases. Furthermore, achieving your ambitions could be less expensive and less time-consuming than you thought.

Five tracks

Now that Oracle has revised its certification and training program, there are five Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) tracks:

Nos. 1 and 2 are Oracle8 DBA and Oracle8i DBA. Certified database administrators (DBA) handle installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting of Oracle databases.

Then there's iDBO. Certified Internet database operators handle day-to-day administrative tasks on an Oracle database and help DBAs manage the database Web-based applications.

There's also Oracle Java developer. These are the folks who design, create and maintain Web pages that require database and Java elements.

Internet application developer, Oracle forms developer 6/6i. If the Web site requires database and fill-in-the-blank type forms, these are the people who can make that happen. They create and maintain applications for the Web using Oracle Forms Developer 6/6i and the Oracle Forms Server framework.

Oracle says that to make the most of these tracks, you should already be working in the IT field and have at least six months of experience. This tells me that if you have no database programming training or experience, you'll be way in over your head. If you're a complete novice and you're interested in becoming a database guru, first take a few college-level computer-programming courses with an emphasis on database structure and general concepts. Oracle offers some introductory databases courses as well. See how well you do and how much you like the work by taking these kinds of courses before you embark on an Oracle certification program.

Oracle also offers a masters program in the each of the following general IT areas: applications developer, enterprise DBA, applications IT professional, and systems engineer designer. As you might imagine from the designation of "master," these programs require much more training than the tracks listed. For example, the master applications-developer certification requires satisfactory completion of Oracle courses in Java, Oracle, and Web development.

Training centers and programs

The company offers instructor-led (ILT) and technology-based (CD and Web) training to help you prepare for the certification exams. You can also get Oracle-related training from third-party training organizations in some major cities. Look in the training advertisement section in ComputerUser for a local Oracle training providers. You can also find a list of IT training centers that offer Oracle training classes by visiting the OTN Web site (see below); there is at least one organization in every state listed there.

Oracle has developed a 12-week ILT program for people who want to prepare for either the Certified Database Administrator or the Certified Developer certification. Called eLearning FastTracks, the program will be held in major cities around the United States (Los Angeles, Dallas and Bethesda, to name a few). To find the program in the city closest to you, visit the Oracle Training Network and check out the location details.

Bookmark this site

The Oracle Training Network contains a treasure trove of information and freebies. On the site you will find details on the tracks listed above, plus you'll be able to get more information about the training courses Oracle provides. If you sign up to become a member--membership is free--you'll be able to peruse and download valuable materials at no charge. For example, you can get practice exams and information about where to take the certification tests when you're ready. You'll also be able to look at the Oracle-related job openings posted on the site. In addition, OTN members also receive a discount on all OCP certification exams.

There's a lot more content there, and you should visit the site before you map out your Oracle training program. In fact, if you join the Student Union, you can develop your own training program. You can also sign yourself up for regular updates on Oracle training programs and special promotion notices about the programs.

What it costs

The investment you make in time and money to train for the OCP tests will depend on how quickly you can take the training courses and master the materials. If you are already familiar with Oracle databases and are interested in certification, go to the OTN site, get the practice tests, and take them. If you do well enough, you might want to skip the training programs and take the tests to see if you can get the certification you want without additional training.

Advanced Prometric Testing Centers worldwide offer OCP exams; the cost in the United States is about $125. To get more information or to register, visit the Prometric Web site.

If you take the exam and find you need to learn a little more, check out the digital video classes on the OTN site. These video courses are part of the Oracle Learning Network, and they are available 24/7 after they are posted, so you can learn on your own schedule. They could be a fast and inexpensive way for you to complete your Oracle training. You can check the courses out for free by signing up for a trial membership. If you want to take a formal course of study, the FastTracks course costs $12,499. This includes the costs of the certification tests. If you want more training, check out the details of the sample training plan that is posted in the Oracle University student union. Here are the highlights of the plan: to complete the Fundamental Skill Level for database administrator would take 14 days and cost $5,700. Each step would take roughly the same amount of time and cost $5,000 or more. To get to the masters level, you could spend $20,000 or more and need to devote six or more weeks to classroom study.

Certification benefits

Oracle said last year that more than 30,000 people have been certified in various Oracle specialties. Each month, about 1,500 people pass the test for one or more Oracle certifications. After completing the training, 82 percent of OCPs the company surveyed said they became more knowledgeable in their job roles. Most (89 percent) said they gained more confidence in their Oracle expertise, and 96 percent said they would recommend the program.

According to these survey results, the major benefit these people get from certification is the assurance that they are completely up-to-date on Oracle software solutions. But there are other benefits. If your company sends you for the training, you might be able to negotiate a higher salary at the end of the training period. If you're shopping for a new career, having an Oracle certification, particularly one related to e-commerce, can help you make your résumé stand out from the crowd.

Contributing Editor Molly W. Joss also writes Ask Molly, a daily careers column on ComputerUser.com. Ask her an IT career-related question at AskMolly@ComputerUser.com.