First Alternative - About the Company

An Introduction to the company

First Alternative was founded by Mick Hosegood, formerly Sun Microsystems UK Customer Training Manager, in 1989. We are a small (in size) training company, specialising in Solaris, Linux and related courses. We're constantly thinking up new ideas, and always trying to improve what we offer.

Our Contact Details

Email: enquiries@firstalt.co.uk
Telephone: +44(0)1636-893673
Post: First Alternative, High Park Farm, Swinderby Road, Collingham, Newark, NG23 7NZ

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First Alternative aim to give a personalised and cost-effective service to our customers. We remain independent, and believe this gives us the maximum flexibility to meet YOUR needs.

About half of our courses are scheduled courses (see the descriptions on the linked pages) and the rest of our work is with tailored courses on your site.

The Unbelieveably Flexible First Alternative...
We call ourselves a "customer responsive organisation" which quite simply means our aim is to deliver whatever training you need, however you want it. Our comprehensive technical training portfolio includes: Solaris, Linux, Perl, Security, FrameMaker. Whatever the competence, we bring delegates to a new found level of confidence and knowledge. We can develop customised training programmes and on-site, one-company training packages specific to your company's needs. We'll provide just what you need to be able to spring into action.

The Cost Effective First Alternative...
As an independent and niche-focused company we are the first choice for better value training with a better pricing structure. But we don't just offer great value for money, we offer great value for less money. At First Alternative, we can provide you with a saving of between 28% and 35% on all courses [comparison with Sun's Education service]. Take into account the 10% discount on block bookings and 15-20% discount on packages such as training progressions for Solaris and Linux users and you'll soon see why with First Alternative, Finance directors are full of beans!

The Uniquely Supportive First Alternative...
Our training support does not finish when the course does. We offer real support as you implement what you have learned. We have an informal post-course help line to answer delegates' questions. Our highly informative Web Site is constantly updated to provide you with the most up-to-date information. From it, you can download information used on your course so that you can practice back at the office on non-live data. If what you need to know is not on the curriculum we make sure you won't go cuckoo if you've got a problem.

The Crucially Independent First Alternative...
Unlike some training providers, at First Alternative you'll find nobody is pulling our strings. We are customer-driven, not vendor-compliant, so we can give you an unbiased, objective appraisal of product. Our team of carefully selected instructors are all highly experienced, real-world practitioners themselves. They are fully sympathetic to customer needs and want to help you get the best out of all Sun products.