"Hands on training" requirement for latest OCA/OCP certification?

Read briefly on Oracle's web site that they've added a "hands-on" training requirement to the OCA/OCP certs... to "enhance their value" or some such.

My question is this: is this a revenue enhancement upgrade, meaning must one take Oracle University instructor-led courses as part of getting an OCA/OCP? Terribly expensive if a person has to pay out of pocket / not get reimbursed.

Is it safe to say CBTs are out for getting an OCP? What about online training? Can that still be considered having a "hands on" component? Heck, Oracle is free for development purposes, and/or could easily be shared out via Citrix.

There's an OCP program offered by a local university for $3,500. Rather expensive, yet cheaper than taking instructor-led Oracle University classes. Cheaper still, I imagine, would be CBTs. But again, it seems like Oracle has eliminated this as a path toward getting the OCP certification--or at least fully.

Any suggestions on getting an OCP inexpensively? Perhaps some combination of CBTs--can anyone recommend a good Oracle CBT company) / online training (again, suggestions appreciated), and the minimum amount of "hands on" classes one is required to take.

Thanks very much. Received on Thu Dec 06 2007 - 04:31:52 CST