Introduction
As the only company in Kansas City offering live, instructor-led training solutions
to both corporate and individual clients, Centriq Training is the area’s most experienced
training provider. For 20 years, Centriq has strived to be the premier corporate
IT training company in the area. In the last year alone, Centriq trained over 3,000
IT professionals from over 400 companies.
Along with corporate training, Centriq offers IT training to individuals seeking
a career change. With the TechSmart KC Program, students gain job skills and certifications
making them invaluable to future employers in just four short months. In 2010 alone,
Centriq trained 220 students who went on to exciting new IT careers and the numbers
continue to grow today.
Centriq has an experienced staff of 20+ instructors operating in 16 classrooms in
Leawood, Kansas. As the most diverse training company in KC, Centriq delivers training
on a multitude of platforms such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe, Citrix, VMware,
Java, Security, ITIL and Project Management. In 2010 Centriq introduced the Centriq
Choice Program, providing flexible Local, Remote and High Definition instructor-led
training options to corporate clients from anywhere in the world.
Click here for more information on corporate training delivery options.
Whether it’s corporate IT training or career-oriented IT training, Centriq is Kansas
City’s most trusted partner in training needs.
History
Centriq was founded in 1989 as the Network Institute of America and became the first
Novell-authorized training center in Kansas City. Centriq has undergone various
changes of ownership but has remained under the same management for 20 years.
1989-1992
As the Network Institute of America, the company focused on corporate IT training
for various companies in the Kansas City area. Kevin Grawe joined the team in 1989
and is the current owner of Centriq Training.
1992-1996
The Network Institute of America became affiliated with US Connect in 1992, a national
consortium of leading Microsoft partners, changing its name to US Connect Kansas
City. Still acting as a corporate I.T. training company, US Connect Kansas City
also trained office copier dealers in the transition from analog to digital technology.
Their main client, the National Office Machine Dealers Association (NOMDA) was headquartered
in Kansas City.
1996-2001
In 1996, US Connect was purchased by IKON Office Solutions. The Kansas City office
was established as the district office for education services. This office led the
initiative of establishing IKON Education as a national training company.
2001-Present
The Kansas City office of IKON Education was re-acquired by the original company
partners in 2001 and renamed Centriq. In 2005, Centriq acquired Foss Training, a
training company focused primarily on the education of career changers for entry-level
I.T. jobs. This acquisition created Centriq’s Techsmart KC Training Division.
Centriq is presently the longest-operating and largest I.T. training company in
the Kansas City area.
Courses
- Microsoft
- Cisco
- Citrix
- CompTia
- Crystal
- Java
- Oracle
- VMware
- Security/Wireless
- Adobe
- Business Skills (project management, business analysis and ITIL)
Authorizations
Centriq is the only training company in the Kansas City area that has all of the
following authorizations:
- Microsoft Gold Partner
- Cisco Sponsored Learning Organization
- EC Council Partner
- Prometric Authorized Testing Center
- Pearson Vue
- Kryterion
Partnership with the University of Phoenix
Centriq courses on both the Corporate IT and TechSmart KC sides of the company can
be applied to a degree with the University of Phoenix. The largest private university
in the United States, the University of Phoenix has 224,880 full-time students nation-wide.
This partnership between the University of Phoenix and Centriq Training was established
in 2009 and serves to aid those who wish to continue their education an avenue to
do so after the completion of their technical certifications with Centriq.
Divisions
Corporate IT Training
The Corporate IT Training division of Centriq Training focuses on providing technical
training services to corporate clients who wish to train their internal IT employees.
With customers such as Cerner, Sprint Nextel and Hallmark Cards, Inc., Centriq serves
more corporate clients than any other training company in the Kansas City area.
Centriq Training offers 55+ instructor-lead training courses for corporate IT professionals
that are not offered anywhere else in Kansas City. Corporate courses are typically
taken on a weekly or daily schedule. Clients can choose to pursue certifications
from vendors such as Microsoft, Citrix, Cisco, PMI and CompTIA following the completion
of their coursework.
TechSmart KC Program
Centriq provides IT training to individuals seeking to attain job skills and certification
to begin a career in the IT field. These customers, often career-changers, attend
a four-month program to get them the skills and certifications needed to break into
the IT industry. Courses are available both during the day and in the evening and
financial assistance is offered for those who qualify. Centriq then aids graduates
in their job search with the Centriq Connections program. In 2010, Centriq trained
220 students in their TechSmart KC program.
Centriq Connections
Centriq Connections is a program that assists Career Track graduates with the acquisition
of a job following graduation. By providing resume and interview counseling as well
as serving as a medium between students and partnered employers such as H&R Block,
VinSolutions and Blue Valley School District.
Teaching Environment
Centriq has 18 classrooms and upwards of 21 instructors that teach their courses.
Centriq's facility is located in Leawood, KS and features four Level 6 Hardware-equipped
classrooms. Centriq’s rooms meet or exceed these Microsoft specifications: 64-bit
Intel Virtualization Technology or AMD Virtualization processor (2.8 GHz dual core
or better recommended)
- Dual 120 GB hard disks 7200 RPM SATA or better (striped)
- 4 GB RAM expandable to 8 GB or higher
- DVD (dual layer recommended)
- Network adapter
- Sound card
- Video adapter aero-capable recommended
- Super VGA monitor (17 inch/ 43 cm)
Centriq’s facility also features a lounge area available to students that serves
free coffee, pastries, fruit, cookies and vegetables during daily class breaks in
the morning and afternoon.