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Python Training Services

Private Classes

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Most of our classes have been private on-site sessions, where the instructor travels to your location to deliver the class.  This page describes the on-site option.  Clients usually find our private on-site classes to be more cost effective for groups of 4 or more, especially when student travel costs are factored in.  On-site classes can be scheduled anywhere in the US and abroad, and are generally available in any unscheduled weeks on our calendar.  To arrange an on-site class, please contact us

Main sections of this page:


Class Overview

This section describes our classes and their formats.  For additional information on specific class topics, student prerequisites, and Python versions not covered here, please see our Course Topics and Overview pages. 

Our Mission

Our classes are designed to jumpstart your Python learning experience.  They provide in-depth, hands-on introductions to both the Python language itself, as well as ways to apply it to common programming tasks.  We focus on fundamentals and core concepts which span application domains and reflect real-world Python programming.

Although a 3-day class alone is not generally enough to transform a novice into a Python "master of the universe," our classes provide the solid foundation needed to begin the process well.  By attending our classes, students get a crucial head start with Python, and gain a strategic advantage over less structured approaches.

Our Instructor

All our classes are taught by Python author and trainer, Mark Lutz.  Mark has been using Python since 1992, is the author of 3 best-selling Python books, and is the most widely-experienced Python trainer in the world, having taught some 250 classes since 1997.  For more information about the class instructor, please see our Instructor Background page.

Class Formats

The standard Python class is a 3-day session, taught at your company or organization.  This standard class provides an in-depth and hands-on introduction to the Python language, as well as surveys of its most common application domains.  For most clients, the 3-day class is a perfect way to bring students up to speed on Python programming. 

In addition to the standard 3-day class, many clients find it beneficial to schedule extra days or follow-on sessions to focus on advanced application topics such as GUIs, the Web, and C integration in more depth.  Follow-up sessions expand on the topics in the Python Application section of the outline on the Course Topics page, and can be devoted to more realistic programs as group projects.

An abbreviated 2-day introductory session is also available.  However, we recommend the 3-day standard session to cover the core language in sufficient depth, with additional days or follow-up sessions for clients interested in focusing on application topics in more depth.


Financial Details

We use a uniform, all-inclusive pricing structure, to simplify the financial details.  Prices quoted on this page include all expenses related to the class, and are listed in US dollars (USD).

Standard On-site Class Prices

For on-site sessions, where we travel to your site to deliver the training, class prices are as follows:

The prices above are all flat rate, all-inclusive amounts.  They include all costs related to the class, including, but not limited to: the class itself, all instructor travel costs, students CDs, access to an electronic copy of the class workbook, use of class materials, and any shipping charges.  No other amounts will be billed to your organization.

Payment

We prefer payment on delivery of services, but allow for most standard payment terms (purchase orders, invoices, and net30 are common). We are able to accept payment by credit card, check, money order, direct deposit, and wire transfer.  Because we incur added charges for credit card sales, we prefer to utilize credit card payments for small amounts only.

On-Site Cancellation Policies

Because reserving class dates can effectively lock others out, we use the following cancellation policies:

If you must reschedule the class for a later date, the cancellation penalties listed above are generally waived. However, because rescheduling may still cause us to incur expenses for travel already booked, as well as lose revenue for other clients declined, we may add a fixed cost to the newly scheduled class to recoup our losses. Please inquire for details.


Pricing Notes

We arrange and assume any and all necessary travel costs directly, and do not charge for them as a separate item.  The client will have a computer display projector at the training site (see the class set-up section below for more details).  Here are a few additional notes on the components of our price structure.

Class Days Billed

The total number of class days for which you will be billed generally means the total number of teaching days at your site.  It never includes any instructor travel days.  A Monday through Wednesday class, for example, counts as 3 days, regardless of how the instructor arranges travel.  In more formal terms, the class days total refers to the total number of days spent at your location.  This includes any partial-day classes, as well as days that fall in between teaching days.  For example, a class which includes half days on Monday and Tuesday; a non-teaching day Wednesday; and full days on both Thursday and Friday, is considered 5 class days for billing purposes.

Choice of Session Length

The 3 or 2-day session choice is dependent on client goals and constraints.  We recommend the 3-day format to allow sufficient time for topic coverage and lab work.  In a 3-day session, we cover the entire language, and introduce more advanced application-level tools and techniques in overview fashion.  However, a 2-day abbreviated session is offered as an option for clients with more focused needs or time constraints.

Extra Class Days

The $2,000 per extra class day beyond 3 days will be charged if you elect to add any additional days to the standard 3-day class format.  Such extra days can be used to provide additional lecture and lab time for the standard topics, to cover add-on topics, and for consulting time.  For instance, some clients add extra days to focus on OOP or application-level topics in more depth.  Please inquire for more details about this option.  Note that we bill for total number days at your location, as described earlier.

Extra Students

The 15-student cutoff is intended to discourage large classes.  We've had groups of 30 or more students in the past, and have found that class quality tends to suffer when too many students are enrolled, due to diminished instructor interaction time.  However, if it is more convenient to include extra students , you will be billed $500 for each extra student beyond the 15 student cutoff.  We generally recommend a maximum class size of roughly 20 students in any event.

Extra Travel Costs

International travel and NYC classes incur a fixed increment to the all-inclusive prices to cover the additional travel costs to these locations.  Classes that require international travel outside the US incur an additional fixed fee which is dependent on the class location.  Overseas classes generally require an extra day of lodging before the class start date.  In such cases, the extra travel cost will be described explicitly, prior to booking the class.

Optional Workbook Copies

Workbook copies are generated by the client only if desired.  Paper workbook copies are a completely optional component today.  They are usually not printed anymore, because the workbook is also available in HTML format on the CDs the instructor brings for students.  If you do elect to make printed copies, we provide access to a PDF-format copy of the workbook on the Web before the class upon request.  We do not provide copying and shipping services for paper workbooks.

Note to Resellers

We are always happy to work with third parties to arrange classes.  If you are a reseller interested in working with us, however, please note that because our prices are already very competitive by industry standards, our flexibility is limited.  Please contact us to inquire about our current reseller policies.


Set-up Requirements

Class set-up is simple, and can proceed quickly.  Once class dates are scheduled, we provide a link to the class workbook master by email upon request, and perform any required billing setup tasks.  We arrange any required instructor travel, and you prepare the training site for the class.  For reference, here is a checklist of set-up requirements for holding a successful class at your site:

Logistical Details

Classroom Setup

Student Requirements

Student CDs and Software

Additional Details


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