Network and computer support technicians are ever more sought after in this country, as businesses have come to depend on their technical advice and capacity to solve problems. Industry's need for more technically qualified people grows, as we turn out to be ever more dependent on computers in the twenty first century.
Most training companies will only offer office hours or extended office hours support; not many go late into the evening (after 8-9pm) or cover weekends properly.
Email support is too slow, and telephone support is usually to a call-centre that will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor - who'll call back sometime over the next 1-3 days, at a time suitable for them. This is no good if you're lost and confused and only have a specific time you can study.
It's possible to find professional training packages that offer online direct access support all the time - at any time of day or night.
You can't afford to accept anything less. 24x7 support is the only viable option for computer-based courses. Perhaps you don't intend to study during the evenings; often though, we're out at work at the time when most support is available.
Don't get hung-up, as a lot of students can, on the accreditation program. You're not training for the sake of training; you should be geared towards the actual job at the end of it. Stay focused on what it is you want to achieve.
It's common, in some situations, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training but end up spending 10 or 20 years in a tiresome job role, simply because you did it without some quality research when you should've - at the outset.
Get to grips with earning potential and whether you're an ambitious person or not. Often, this changes what certifications will be expected and what you can expect to give industry in return.
Talk to someone that understands the work you're contemplating, and who can give you a detailed description of what you're going to be doing in that job. Contemplating this well before you start on any learning course will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.
So, why is it better to gain commercial certification as opposed to traditional academic qualifications gained through schools, colleges or universities?
As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, the IT sector has been required to move to the specialised training only available through the vendors themselves - that is companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. This frequently provides reductions in both cost and time.
Many degrees, for example, become confusing because of a great deal of loosely associated study - and much too wide a syllabus. This holds a student back from getting enough specific knowledge about the core essentials.
When it comes down to the nitty-gritty: Recognised IT certifications provide exactly what an employer needs - everything they need to know is in the title: as an example - I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Windows XP Administration and Configuration'. Therefore an employer can look at the particular needs they have and which qualifications are required to perform the job.
Many trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance program, to help you into your first commercial role. Often, there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, because it's relatively easy for a well trained and motivated person to get work in the IT environment - because companies everywhere are seeking trained staff.
However, what is relevant is to have help with your CV and interview techniques though; and we'd recommend all students to bring their CV up to date the day they start training - don't put it off till you've finished your exams.
It can happen that you haven't even qualified when you land your first junior support role; yet this can't and won't happen unless your CV is with employers.
In many cases, a specialist locally based recruitment consultant or service - who make their money when they've found you a job - is going to give you a better service than a centralised training company's service. It also stands to reason that they'll know the local industry and employment needs.
A constant frustration of a number of course providers is how hard men and women are focused on studying to get qualified, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the position they're acquired skills for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU. - 33394
Most training companies will only offer office hours or extended office hours support; not many go late into the evening (after 8-9pm) or cover weekends properly.
Email support is too slow, and telephone support is usually to a call-centre that will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor - who'll call back sometime over the next 1-3 days, at a time suitable for them. This is no good if you're lost and confused and only have a specific time you can study.
It's possible to find professional training packages that offer online direct access support all the time - at any time of day or night.
You can't afford to accept anything less. 24x7 support is the only viable option for computer-based courses. Perhaps you don't intend to study during the evenings; often though, we're out at work at the time when most support is available.
Don't get hung-up, as a lot of students can, on the accreditation program. You're not training for the sake of training; you should be geared towards the actual job at the end of it. Stay focused on what it is you want to achieve.
It's common, in some situations, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training but end up spending 10 or 20 years in a tiresome job role, simply because you did it without some quality research when you should've - at the outset.
Get to grips with earning potential and whether you're an ambitious person or not. Often, this changes what certifications will be expected and what you can expect to give industry in return.
Talk to someone that understands the work you're contemplating, and who can give you a detailed description of what you're going to be doing in that job. Contemplating this well before you start on any learning course will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.
So, why is it better to gain commercial certification as opposed to traditional academic qualifications gained through schools, colleges or universities?
As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, the IT sector has been required to move to the specialised training only available through the vendors themselves - that is companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. This frequently provides reductions in both cost and time.
Many degrees, for example, become confusing because of a great deal of loosely associated study - and much too wide a syllabus. This holds a student back from getting enough specific knowledge about the core essentials.
When it comes down to the nitty-gritty: Recognised IT certifications provide exactly what an employer needs - everything they need to know is in the title: as an example - I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Windows XP Administration and Configuration'. Therefore an employer can look at the particular needs they have and which qualifications are required to perform the job.
Many trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance program, to help you into your first commercial role. Often, there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, because it's relatively easy for a well trained and motivated person to get work in the IT environment - because companies everywhere are seeking trained staff.
However, what is relevant is to have help with your CV and interview techniques though; and we'd recommend all students to bring their CV up to date the day they start training - don't put it off till you've finished your exams.
It can happen that you haven't even qualified when you land your first junior support role; yet this can't and won't happen unless your CV is with employers.
In many cases, a specialist locally based recruitment consultant or service - who make their money when they've found you a job - is going to give you a better service than a centralised training company's service. It also stands to reason that they'll know the local industry and employment needs.
A constant frustration of a number of course providers is how hard men and women are focused on studying to get qualified, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the position they're acquired skills for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU. - 33394
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(C) 2009 S. Edwards. Try Computer Courses Online or AdultRetrainingCourses.co.uk/eadreco.html.
