In today’s data-driven world, continuous learning is key to staying ahead. Splunk, a leader in data analytics and machine learning, offers a range of training opportunities to help individuals and organisations build their skills and remain competitive. One of the best ways to take advantage of these offerings is through Splunk training credits, a unique form of credit that can be used to pay for Splunk courses. Understanding how to use these units effectively is essential for maximising your training investment.
What are Splunk training units?
Splunk Training Units, also referred to as education credits or training credits, are a flexible currency that organisations can purchase to cover the costs of paid Splunk training programmes. These units allow organisations to streamline the process of training their employees by pre-purchasing credits that can be applied to multiple courses, making it easier to budget for ongoing education and development.
Training Units can be used for a wide range of offerings, including instructor-led training, dedicated classes, and self-paced eLearning. By purchasing these units in advance, companies can gain access to a variety of Splunk's educational content, ensuring their team members have the necessary skills to utilise Splunk’s powerful platform.
Understanding Splunk’s training unit policies
To make the most of your Training Units, it’s essential to be aware of the policies that govern their use. These guidelines help ensure the smooth application of credits and prevent any issues with course registration.
Expiration dates
Training Units come with an expiration date. They expire at 12:01 AM Eastern Time on the date specified in the Splunk Training and Education Portal (STEP). This means that if you don’t use your Training Units before this time, they will no longer be valid.
Course registration deadlines
For any courses paid for with Training Units, the registration must be completed before the expiration date, and all instructor-led and dedicated classes must start before the Training Units expire. Registration for self-paced eLearning courses must occur before the expiration date. Still, the actual course can be accessed for up to 12 months after registration.
How to register for Splunk training using training units
Getting the most out of your Training Units requires following the proper steps to register for courses. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Log in to the Splunk Education Portal (STEP)
First, you need to log in to STEP, Splunk’s dedicated training portal. If you don’t have an account, it’s easy to create one directly from the login page. Once logged in, you can browse for available courses.
Step 2: Search for Courses
Use the search bar or apply filters to find the courses that match your learning needs. Splunk offers a wide variety of training, ranging from fundamental concepts to advanced analytics and machine learning applications.
Step 3: Select Your Course
When you find a course you’re interested in, click on the course title to view more details, including the schedule and prerequisites. It’s important to review the course requirements to ensure that you or your team members have the necessary background knowledge before enrolling.
Step 4: Add to Cart
Once you've found a course, you can either click Buy Now to purchase it immediately or use the down arrow to select Add to Cart to continue browsing. Once you're ready to check out, click Check Out.
Step 5: Apply Your Training Units
In the checkout process, select Training Units as your payment method. The cost of the course will be displayed in Training Units. You can apply the appropriate number of units from your available balance. If you have units from multiple agreements, you can combine them to cover the full payment for your desired course. Once your remaining balance shows as zero, your payment is complete.
Step 6: Complete Your Registration
After confirming the use of Training Units, click Complete Order to finalise the registration for your course. You’re now ready to start learning!
How to manage training units for your team
For organisations that have multiple employees, managing Training Units can be more complex. Fortunately, Splunk provides robust management tools for organisation leaders to oversee training and ensure the efficient use of credits.
Organisation Managers Can Monitor the Usage
Organisation Managers (OMs) have access to a range of tools within the STEP portal that allow them to view and report on all Training Unit activities within their organisation. To get started, managers need to:
Log in to STEP using their credentials.
Open the menu by clicking on the hamburger icon in the top left corner.
Select My Team, which will show a list of all employees associated with the organisation.
From here, OMs can use the Assign Learning link to suggest or register training for specific individuals within their team.
Running Reports
Managers can also view reports on Training Unit usage and registration activities. These reports can be customised and exported as needed, providing insights into how credits are being spent and which employees are using them. This functionality helps managers to monitor training progress and ensures that credits are being utilised effectively. Additionally, exploring the benefits of Splunk certifications can enhance your team's expertise and boost their career prospects.
Handling unauthorised use
If a manager notices that an unauthorised individual has used Training Units, they can drop the registration themselves or contact Splunk’s education team at education@splunk.com for assistance. If necessary, the employee who made the unauthorised registration can drop the course, and the Training Units will be refunded.
Tips for maximising the value of training units
To ensure that your organisation gets the most out of Splunk Training Units, here are a few best practices:
Plan Training in Advance: Avoid wasting credits by planning out your team’s learning needs for the year. By knowing which courses your team members will require, you can buy the right amount of credits and schedule training well in advance.
Prioritise Core Skills: Make sure your team members focus on building foundational skills first, especially if they are new to Splunk. Once they have the basics down, they can move on to more advanced topics like machine learning or security analytics.
Keep Track of Expiration Dates: Keep a close eye on the expiration dates of your Training Units. Use the management tools in STEP to review when credits are due to expire so you can prioritise their use before they become invalid.
Encourage Ongoing Learning: Splunk offers a variety of learning paths that include both instructor-led and self-paced training options. Encourage your team members to take advantage of free eLearning resources and certifications to develop their skills without additional cost.
Conclusion
Maximising the value of Splunk Training Units requires a combination of careful planning, proactive registration, and ongoing management. By understanding how to purchase and use these training credits effectively, you can ensure that your team has the skills and knowledge to leverage Splunk’s powerful platform fully. Whether you're an organisation manager overseeing a team’s learning path or an individual learner eager to gain advanced skills, making the most of your Training Units will help your organisation stay ahead in an increasingly data-driven world.
Get started with Splunk training today!
If you're looking to maximise your Splunk Training Units and ensure your team gets the most out of Splunk’s offerings, Ingeniq can help. As trusted providers of Splunk training solutions, we offer a range of tailored training options that cater to your organisation’s unique needs. Whether you're looking for instructor-led sessions, customised eLearning courses, or expert guidance, Ingeniq can help your team master Splunk and unlock its full potential.
Get in touch with Ingeniq today to learn more about our Splunk training services and start your learning journey with us!
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