To Weinstein - thanks for the input. My experience in Install Manage and Configure was indeed that it was the best instructor I've had for any it class. So I do believe VMware has high standards for their instructors. That being said, I have been disappointed at what I see for vSphere Design Workshop instructors. The class is the only class which is targeted at least somewhat toward VCAP-DCD although it is not requried for it. Right now in the US from now till the end of the year after doing some research I don't see a single instructor teaching the class in the classroom-based format that even has their VCAP-DCD. Not only that, but the instructors I've checked on are not designers / architects by trade. Having done a fair bit of admin and support, I really believe there is a big difference between an experienced VMware admin, VMware support rep, storage support rep, CCIE or networking expert, and an experienced VMware design architect. Also, if you are attempting to pass the VCAP-DCD, no matter how good the instructor is, if they haven't spent the time studying for and grueling over the test and passed it, then they can't help me prepare for it as well as someone who has. So why am I paying them $2700 to help me prepare for a test when they haven't bothered to take it or didn't pass it? One of the classes I checked on was offered by VMware directly but some of the others by different third party authorized training providers. Also I talked to someone else who took this class and wasn't impressed because they had to basically lead the instructor through to an inderstanding of some of the issues and questions. Although in general I beleive VMware training is top notch I am starting to develop a question on this particular class at least as it is offered in the US right now through end of the year.
As Paul mentioned there are certainly some good instructors but who are they now in the US that are scheduled to teach the class?