A+ consists of four exams and specialised sectors, but you only need to pass two of them to be considered A+ competent. Because of this, many educational establishments stick to just two options. But allowing you to learn about all 4 options will give you a more confident perspective of your subject, which you’ll come to realise is vital in the working environment.
As well as learning how to build PC’s and fix them, students on an A+ training course will be taught how to operate in antistatic conditions, as well as diagnostics, fault-finding and remote access. In addition, you could look to think about doing Network+ as it will enable you to take care of computer networks, which is where the bigger salaries are.
Coming across job security in this economic down-turn is problematic. Companies will throw us out of the workforce at the drop of a hat – as and when it suits them. We’re able though to find security at market-level, by probing for areas of high demand, coupled with a shortage of skilled staff.
Taking the computing industry for example, a recent e-Skills analysis highlighted a national skills shortage in the UK of around 26 percent. To explain it in a different way, this reveals that the country only has 3 certified professionals for each four job positions existing now. This one idea in itself shows why Great Britain urgently requires many more workers to get trained and enter the IT sector. We can’t imagine if a better time or market circumstances is ever likely to exist for obtaining certification in this rapidly growing and evolving market.
Getting to the most appropriate career option is hard enough – so which areas should we be checking out and which questions should we be asking?
We can see a glut of jobs and positions available in computing. Deciding which one could be right out of this complexity is generally problematic. What are the chances of us grasping what is involved in a particular job when we’ve never done it? Often we have never met anyone who performs the role either. Reflection on these factors is essential when you want to discover the right solution that will work for you:
* Your hobbies and interests – often these define what areas will satisfy you.
* Are you driven to re-train for a precise motive – for instance, do you aim to work from home (self-employment possibly?)?
* Where is the salary on a scale of importance – is it the most important thing, or is enjoying your job a little higher on the scale of your priorities?
* Looking at the many markets that IT encapsulates, it’s important to be able to take in the differences.
* The time and energy you’ll have available to put into getting qualified.
To cut through all the jargon and confusion, and find the best route for you, have an informal meeting with an industry expert and advisor; a person who understands the commercial reality while explaining the certifications.
Proper support is incredibly important – look for a package that provides 24×7 direct access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also impede your ability to learn. Avoid those companies that use ‘out-of-hours’ messaging systems – with the call-back coming in during the next ‘working’ day. This is no use if you’re stuck and want support there and then.
The most successful trainers incorporate three or four individual support centres around the globe in several time-zones. An online system provides an interactive interface to seamlessly link them all together, any time of the day or night, help is just seconds away, without any problems or delays. Search out a training company that is worth purchasing from. As only true 24×7 round-the-clock live support delivers what is required.
If you’re like many of the students we talk to then you’ve always enjoyed practical work – the ‘hands-on’ personality type. Usually, the painful task of reading endless manuals would be considered as a last resort, but it’s not really your thing. Consider interactive, multimedia study if learning from books is not your thing. Long-term memory is enhanced when multiple senses are involved – experts have been clear on this for decades now.
Learning is now available via DVD-ROM discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Video streaming means you can watch instructors demonstrating how to do something, and then have a go at it yourself – with interactive lab sessions. Any company that you’re considering should willingly take you through a few samples of their courseware. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and a variety of interactive modules.
Purely on-line training should be avoided. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where obtainable, enabling them to be used at your convenience – and not be totally reliant on a quality and continuous internet connection.
Many trainees presume that the tech college or university system is still the best way into IT. So why then are qualifications from the commercial sector beginning to overtake it? The IT sector is of the opinion that for an understanding of the relevant skills, certified accreditation from such organisations as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe is closer to the mark commercially – and a fraction of the cost and time. Of course, a reasonable portion of relevant additional information has to be taught, but core specialisation in the exact job role gives a vendor educated student a real head start.
The bottom line is: Accredited IT qualifications tell an employer precisely what skills you have – the title says it all: for example, I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Windows XP Administration and Configuration’. Consequently employers can identify just what their needs are and which qualifications are required to fulfil that.
Think about the points below carefully if you’ve been persuaded that that over-used sales technique about a guarantee for your exam looks like a reason to buy:
Thankfully, today we tend to be a little more ‘marketing-savvy’ – and most of us grasp that we’re actually paying for it (it’s not a freebie because they like us so much!) For those who want to qualify first ‘go’, you must pay for one exam at a time, give it the necessary attention and apply yourself as required.
Isn’t it in your interests to hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you’re ready, not to pay the fees marked up by a college, and to do it locally – rather than in some remote centre? Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on exams when you don’t need to? Huge profits are made by companies getting paid upfront for exams – and banking on the fact that many won’t be taken. Don’t forget, with the majority of Exam Guarantees – the company decides when you are allowed to have another go. Subsequent exam attempts are only authorised at the company’s say so.
Average exam fees were 112 pounds or thereabouts last year through UK VUE or Prometric centres. So what’s the point of paying maybe a thousand pounds extra for ‘Exam Guarantees’, when common sense dictates that the best guarantee is consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software.
All programs you’re considering should always lead to a properly recognised exam at the finale – not some little ‘in-house’ diploma – fit only for filing away and forgetting. If your certification doesn’t come from a big-hitter like Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco or Adobe, then you may discover it won’t be commercially viable – because no-one will recognise it.
