>Background - I have almost 4 years of Fox 2.6 and VFP6 experience, I've been with my current company for 3 years. They have just been bought out and it seems the product I work on is going to be redevloped overseas in VB.NET. This is good for the company because they will be able to produce a product at a very low cost..but I dont think its so good for me. The new company seem not to want to involve the UK based team in any of the new product development and Im concerned because this puts me in a very weak position.
>
>Basically I want to make sure I'm in a strong position when they decide they dont need any of the developers based in the UK, probably in the next 12 months or so.

They may need someone locally to tweak the outsourced project though so VB.NET knowing VB.NET would be a plus for you if you're going to try to stay with the company. You can check your local job ads to see how much demand for VB.NET there is locally, should you eventually move on.

>I think I need to retrain as although I love foxpro there arent to many jobs about for it (espcially in the area I want). My main concern is that it seems the the role of the programmer especially in the UK is not that clear, it makes perfect sense for companies to out source their development overseas as it save a significant amount of money, but I think that means that the programmers lifetime is coming to an end.
>
>I was looking to get my MCP in VFP6, however I dont think this will really benefit me as I think if a VFP job came up I could get it with or without the MCP.

That's probably true, although preparing for the exams may fill in some gaps in your experience.

>I have almost 12 months experience in SQL 2000, I am seriously considering funding myself through a "boot camp" style course to gain certification on SQL 2000, hopefully this will open up some more doors for me. My idea behind this is that I would leave open the opportunity of moving into a DBA role if I gained a couple more MCP's and I feel this role may have a longer lifetime than that of a programmer.

On-the-job experience PLUS a certification is a good move, and whether companies use VB, VB.NET, C#, etc. the will all want people with SQL Server experience.

>My other choice is to do some training on .net technology however I dont have any commercial experience in this so Im not so sure and it also means Im slightly more tied to the programmer role.

Without on-the-job experience your qualifications would be weak in the job market. Getting some books and working through them would be inexpensive and add to your resume.

>I know I could self study for these exams, but in a cost benefit sort of way I dont know if I can wait (have) that much time before Im going to really need to move jobs. The cost of the investment (and I would see it as an investment) in the short term would hopefully be repaid in the long term by a better job and salary.

>Do "boot camps" work.

I went to similar SQL Server training. It's pretty overwhelming to cover so much material in a small amount of time, and it never really sinks in until you work with the new knowledge. Still, you can put the fact that you have training on your resume.

If you want a SQL Server MCP, with your experience in both SQL Server and VFP you may be able to work through a review book and pass the 70-229 exam. At US$125 compared to about US$2500 for boot camp training, it's a small investment with a good payoff. Plus, if you take the exam and don't pass the first time you can review the stuff you are weak in (since you've already seen the exam) and then pass on a second try.

Bottom line, I'd self-study for the 70-229 exam. Formal training is good on your resume. After that, work on VB.NET in your evenings and weekends, and let your employer know you are adding to your skill set in areas that they may find useful in the future.