by Jason Kendall
Were it not for a continuous flood of qualified computer and network support workers, business in the United Kingdom (as elsewhere) would surely grind to a halt. Consequently, there′s an on-going requirement for technicians to support systems and users alike. Industry′s need for larger numbers of commercially qualified individuals is growing, as society becomes consistently more dependent upon PC’s in these modern times.
Be under no illusions, the IT industry provides impressive possibilities. However, to properly investigate, which questions do we need to raise, and what are the most important factors?
Throw out the typical salesperson who pushes one particular program without an in-depth conversation to assess your abilities as well as experience level. Always check they have access to a wide-enough range of products so they can solve your training issues. An important point to note is that, if you’ve got any work-experience or certification, then you may be able to commence studying further along than someone new to the industry. Working through a basic PC skills course first can be the best way to start into your computer training, but depends on your skill level.
Consider only training paths that’ll lead to industry approved qualifications. There′s a plethora of minor schools suggesting minor ‘in-house′ certificates which will prove unusable when it comes to finding a job. You’ll find that only recognised qualifications from the likes of Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA and Adobe will have any meaning to employers.
We can’t make a big enough deal out of this point: You absolutely must have proper 24×7 instructor and mentor support. Later, you’ll kick yourself if you don’t heed this. You’ll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and phone support is often to a call-centre which will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor - who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you’re there), at a time suitable for them. This is not a lot of use if you’re lost and confused and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.
Keep looking and you’ll come across professional companies which offer online support 24×7 - including evenings, nights and weekends. Never compromise when it comes to your support. The vast majority of IT hopefuls who throw in the towel, are in that situation because they didn’t get the support necessary for them.
Trainees looking at this market can be very practical by nature, and aren’t really suited to the classroom environment, and struggling through thick study-volumes. If you’re thinking this sounds like you, opt for more involving, interactive learning materials, with on-screen demonstrations and labs. Learning psychology studies show that we remember much more when we receive multi-sensorial input, and we take action to use what we′ve learned.
Find a course where you’ll get a host of CD and DVD based materials - you’ll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, with the facility to use virtual lab’s to practice your new skills. It’s wise to view some examples of the kind of training materials you’ll be using before you sign on the dotted line. What you want are videoed instructor demonstrations and interactive audio-visual sections with practice modules.
It doesn’t make sense to opt for on-line only training. Connection quality and reliability varies hugely across most broadband providers, you should always obtain actual CD or DVD ROM’s.
Adding in the cost of examination fees with the course fee then including an exam guarantee is popular with many companies. However, let’s consider what’s really going on:
It’s become essential these days that we are a tad more knowledgeable about sales gimmicks - and most of us realise that of course it is actually an additional cost to us (it isn’t free or out of the goodness of their hearts!) Evidence shows that when trainees fund each examination, one by one, they′ll be in a better position to pass every time - because they′re aware of their investment in themselves and will therefore apply themselves appropriately.
Go for the best offer you can find when you take the exam, and save having to find the money early. In addition, it’s then your choice where to do the examinations - so you can choose somewhere closer to home. What’s the point in paying early for exam fees when there was no need to? Big margins are netted by organisations getting money in early for exam fees - and then cashing in when they′re not all taken. Re-takes of previously unsuccessful exams via companies who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee′ are tightly controlled. They will insist that you take pre-tests first to make sure they think you’re going to pass.
Spending hundreds or even thousands extra on ‘Exam Guarantees′ is remiss - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is what will really see you through.
Many people assume that the state educational track is the way they should go. So why is commercial certification becoming more in demand? Accreditation-based training (as it’s known in the industry) is most often much more specialised. Industry has become aware that specialisation is essential to service the demands of a technologically complex world. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA dominate in this arena. Obviously, a certain portion of associated knowledge needs to be covered, but core specialised knowledge in the particular job function gives a commercially educated student a real head start.
If an employer understands what they′re looking for, then they just need to look for the exact skill-set required to meet that need. Syllabuses are set to exacting standards and don’t change between schools (in the way that degree courses can).
When did you last consider your job security? For most people, this issue only becomes a talking point when something dramatic happens to shake us. However, the reality is that true job security has gone the way of the dodo, for most of us. However, a marketplace with high growth, where staff are in constant demand (through a growing shortfall of trained staff), provides a market for real job security.
Investigating the Information Technology (IT) industry, a recent e-Skills study showed a 26 percent skills deficit. This shows that for every 4 jobs existing across computing, we′ve only got three properly trained pro’s to perform that task. This basic certainty shows the requirement for more commercially qualified computer professionals throughout Great Britain. Unquestionably, now really is a critical time to join Information Technology (IT).
About the Author:
After 2 Decades in IT, Jason Kendall has focused himself on computer training consultancy in the UK. To investigate
IT Courses, visit LearningLolly
Computer Training.