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Computer and network support workers are ever more sought after in Great Britain, as businesses become progressively more dependent on their technical advice and fixing and repairing abilities. Due to the progressively multifaceted levels of technological advances, growing numbers of trained staff are required to specialise in the many areas we need to be sure will work effectively.
Potential trainees looking to begin a career in computers and technology often have no idea of what route to follow, or even what market to obtain accreditation for.
How likely is it for us to understand the many facets of a particular career when we've never done it? We normally don't know someone who works in that sector anyway.
To attack this, a discussion is necessary, covering many different aspects:
* Which type of person you are - which things you really enjoy, and on the other side of the coin - what you hate to do.
* What length of time can you allocate for retraining?
* What salary and timescale needs that guide you?
* Understanding what the normal job roles and markets are - and what differentiates them.
* The level of commitment and effort you'll have available to spend on obtaining your certification.
In all honesty, the only way to seek advice on these issues tends to be through a good talk with an advisor or professional that has a background in IT (and more importantly it's commercial requirements.)
The best type of training course package will undoubtedly also include fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages.
Ensure that the simulated exams aren't just asking you the right questions on the correct subjects, but ask them in the way that the actual final exam will phrase them. This can really throw some trainees if they're met with completely different formats and phraseologies.
As you can imagine, it is vital to know that you've thoroughly prepared for your actual certification exam prior to doing it. Rehearsing mock-up tests adds to your knowledge bank and will save a lot of money on thwarted exam entries.
A knowledgeable and specialised advisor (in contrast with a salesperson) will talk through your current situation. There is no other way of establishing the starting point for your education.
Of course, if you've had any relevant previous certification, then you can sometimes expect to begin at a different level to a trainee with no history to speak of.
If this is going to be your initial effort at IT study then it may be wise to begin with some basic PC skills training first.
A sneaky way that training companies make more money is through up-front charges for exams and offering an exam guarantee. It looks impressive, until you think it through:
Patently it's not free - you're still coughing up for it - the cost has just been rolled into the whole training package.
The honest truth is that when trainees fund each examination, one after the other, there's a much better chance they'll pass first time - as they'll be conscious of their investment in themselves and so will prepare more thoroughly.
Go for the best offer you can find at the appropriate time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You'll then be able to select where you do your exams - which means you can stay local.
Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on examination fees when there's absolutely nothing that says you have to? Huge profits are made because training colleges are getting money in early for exam fees - and then cashing in when they're not all taken.
It's also worth noting that 'Exam Guarantees' often aren't worth the paper they're written on. Most companies won't pay for re-takes until you have demonstrated conclusively that you won't fail again.
Prometric and VUE exams are currently clocking in at an average of 112 pounds in this country. What's the point of paying huge 'Exam Guarantee' costs (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.
Commercial qualifications are now, without a doubt, starting to replace the older academic routes into IT - so why is this the case?
The IT sector now recognises that to learn the appropriate commercial skills, the right accreditation from such organisations as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe most often has much more specialised relevance - for much less time and money.
Clearly, an appropriate degree of associated information has to be learned, but core specialisation in the areas needed gives a commercially trained person a distinct advantage.
If an employer understands what they're looking for, then they just need to look for someone with a specific qualification. Syllabuses are set to exacting standards and aren't allowed to deviate (as academic syllabuses often do).
Potential trainees looking to begin a career in computers and technology often have no idea of what route to follow, or even what market to obtain accreditation for.
How likely is it for us to understand the many facets of a particular career when we've never done it? We normally don't know someone who works in that sector anyway.
To attack this, a discussion is necessary, covering many different aspects:
* Which type of person you are - which things you really enjoy, and on the other side of the coin - what you hate to do.
* What length of time can you allocate for retraining?
* What salary and timescale needs that guide you?
* Understanding what the normal job roles and markets are - and what differentiates them.
* The level of commitment and effort you'll have available to spend on obtaining your certification.
In all honesty, the only way to seek advice on these issues tends to be through a good talk with an advisor or professional that has a background in IT (and more importantly it's commercial requirements.)
The best type of training course package will undoubtedly also include fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages.
Ensure that the simulated exams aren't just asking you the right questions on the correct subjects, but ask them in the way that the actual final exam will phrase them. This can really throw some trainees if they're met with completely different formats and phraseologies.
As you can imagine, it is vital to know that you've thoroughly prepared for your actual certification exam prior to doing it. Rehearsing mock-up tests adds to your knowledge bank and will save a lot of money on thwarted exam entries.
A knowledgeable and specialised advisor (in contrast with a salesperson) will talk through your current situation. There is no other way of establishing the starting point for your education.
Of course, if you've had any relevant previous certification, then you can sometimes expect to begin at a different level to a trainee with no history to speak of.
If this is going to be your initial effort at IT study then it may be wise to begin with some basic PC skills training first.
A sneaky way that training companies make more money is through up-front charges for exams and offering an exam guarantee. It looks impressive, until you think it through:
Patently it's not free - you're still coughing up for it - the cost has just been rolled into the whole training package.
The honest truth is that when trainees fund each examination, one after the other, there's a much better chance they'll pass first time - as they'll be conscious of their investment in themselves and so will prepare more thoroughly.
Go for the best offer you can find at the appropriate time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You'll then be able to select where you do your exams - which means you can stay local.
Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on examination fees when there's absolutely nothing that says you have to? Huge profits are made because training colleges are getting money in early for exam fees - and then cashing in when they're not all taken.
It's also worth noting that 'Exam Guarantees' often aren't worth the paper they're written on. Most companies won't pay for re-takes until you have demonstrated conclusively that you won't fail again.
Prometric and VUE exams are currently clocking in at an average of 112 pounds in this country. What's the point of paying huge 'Exam Guarantee' costs (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.
Commercial qualifications are now, without a doubt, starting to replace the older academic routes into IT - so why is this the case?
The IT sector now recognises that to learn the appropriate commercial skills, the right accreditation from such organisations as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe most often has much more specialised relevance - for much less time and money.
Clearly, an appropriate degree of associated information has to be learned, but core specialisation in the areas needed gives a commercially trained person a distinct advantage.
If an employer understands what they're looking for, then they just need to look for someone with a specific qualification. Syllabuses are set to exacting standards and aren't allowed to deviate (as academic syllabuses often do).
About the Author:
(C) Jason Kendall. Hop over to LearningLolly.com for in-depth advice on Network+ Training and Comptia Networking Training.
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