A Story: “Promised E2E Test Automation Training Never Came”

Despite the high demand for hands-on E2E test automation training from testers, few companies provide it.

A repost of my old (still valid) article published on Medium 1 year ago.

During my time working on contract at a major financial firm, a new QA Director was assigned to the position. He held a meeting for all testers (about 50, I think), as you know, the usual introduction and layout of future plans, …, etc. Towards the end of the meeting, he asked: “Any particular thing you like to see happening, please let me …”.

“We want training”, one voice interrupted him. A female tester raised and said, “I was told that there would be training in our development plan, but I never received proper real testing training. Attended one useless so-called ‘agile training’ with the project team”.

Many testers nodded. One male tester added, “As you just said then, we need to develop test automation capability. We heard of this a few times already in this company. I don’t know about others, but I haven’t seen any actions”. Many showed agreement, and a few clapped.

“We really want to learn test automation, real ones, I mean the hands-on type that I could put to use for my work quickly, not a dumping of theory and syntax, like not useful ISTQB”, another seeming senior tester added.

This new QA director was overwhelmed with the response. These testers were very quiet until training was mentioned. It was such a big contrast.

The QA director said, “Thanks for your feedback. I heard it loud and clear. Training, of course, is important. I was surprised to hear that, as there should be an annual budget for staff training. I promise that I will do something with this.”

A week later, an email was sent to all software testers from the QA director, asking each tester to reply by answering three questions:

1. What IT degree do you hold?

2. What kind of testing certification do you have, e.g. ISTQB?

3. What kind of training have you attended or would you prefer? (including resources, courses, or books you are interested in)

Below are my replied answers: