Happy New Year, Peers!!Welcome to the latest episode of the Testing Peers podcast, this time panel explores how testers and quality professionals can make the most of their training budgets, whether that budget is zero, modest, or stretches into several thousand pounds.Hosts this week: Russell Craxford, David Maynard, Chris Armstrong, and Tara Walton.The discussion is grounded in real experience and looks at how learning choices change depending on constraints, priorities, and organisational context.Starting from Zero: Learning Without a BudgetThe episode begins by challenging the assumption that learning requires money. The hosts highlight the breadth and quality of free resources available, including:Blogs, podcasts, and community-driven contentFree learning platforms such as Test Automation University, freeCodeCamp, and edXVendor-provided learning resources from tooling and platform providersA key recommendation is the free “Learning How to Learn” course by Barbara Oakley and Terrence Sejnowski, which helps people understand how they learn best before deciding where to invest time or money.Spending Around £100: Small Budgets, Real ValueWith a budget of around £100, the focus shifts to intentional, value-led choices:Books as a focused, low-distraction way to learn:Subscriptions to learning platforms rather than single coursesPrioritising practical outcomes over certificatesUsing community recommendations to avoid low-quality contentTestSphere and RiskStorming cardsObviously, the Testing Peers Conference, March 12th 2026Books such as Explore It, The Phoenix Project, The Culture Code and other systems thinking titles are highlighted as high-value, low-cost investments.Around £500: Community, Conferences, and ExposureAt the £500 level, learning opportunities expand:Attending local conferences, meetups, or community events Leeds Test Atelier (Free to attend)SIGiSTShipItConCovering travel, accommodation, and tickets for nearby eventsInvesting in leadership, communication, and presentation skillsSubscriptions such as Ministry of Testing Pro (including a ticket to their #MoTaCon event) and similar learning communitiesLeanPubThe hosts discuss the value of human connection, being exposed to new perspectives, and coming away from events with renewed ideas and motivation.Certifications and Career SignalsThe conversation takes a balanced view on certifications, including ISTQB:Not a definition of quality or capabilityPotentially useful for people entering the industryHelpful as a signal when eSupport the show

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