In the fast-paced world we live in, support workers who are qualified to fix PC’s and networks, and offer constant help to users, are vital in every part of industry. Our requirement for such skilled and qualified people is ever increasing, as industry becomes progressively more reliant on computers.
Finding job security in the current climate is very rare. Businesses can drop us out of the workplace at the drop of a hat – whenever it suits.
We’re able though to reveal security at market-level, by looking for areas in high demand, mixed with a shortage of skilled staff.
Reviewing the computing business, a recent e-Skills analysis highlighted an over 26 percent shortfall of skilled workers. Therefore, for every 4 jobs in existence across Information Technology (IT), companies are only able to find trained staff for three of the four.
This one reality in itself shows why the United Kingdom requires so many more trainees to join the Information Technology market.
No better time or market settings could exist for getting trained into this hugely expanding and developing sector.
Many trainers provide mainly work-books and reference manuals. Obviously, this isn’t much fun and isn’t the best way to go about achieving retention.
Long-term memory is enhanced when we use multiple senses – learning experts have been saying this for as long as we can remember.
Programs are now found on CD and DVD discs, so everything is learned directly from your own PC. Using video-streaming, you can watch instructors demonstrating how something is done, and then practice yourself – in a virtual lab environment.
Don’t take any chances and look at some examples of the kind of training materials you’ll be using before you purchase a course. You should expect instructor-led video demonstrations and interactive modules with audio-visual elements.
Avoid training that is purely online. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where possible, enabling them to be used at your convenience – you don’t want to be reliant on your broadband being ‘up’ 100 percent of the time.
If an advisor doesn’t ask many questions – the likelihood is they’re just a salesperson. If they’re pushing towards a particular product before learning about your history and current experience level, then you know it’s true.
With a bit of work-based experience or qualifications, you may find that your starting point is not the same as someone new to the industry.
Commencing with a foundation course first can be the best way to get into your IT training, depending on your current skill level.
It’s not uncommon for companies to offer inclusive exam guarantees – they always involve paying for the exam fees up-front, before you’ve even made a start on the course. Before you get carried away with this so-called guarantee, consider this:
You’ll be charged for it ultimately. One thing’s for sure – it isn’t free – they’ve just worked it into the package price.
It’s well known in the industry that if students pay for each examination, when they’re ready to take them and not before, there’s a much better chance they’ll pass every time – since they’ll think of their payment and will therefore apply themselves appropriately.
Do your exams somewhere close to home and look for the very best offer you can at the time.
Why tie up your cash (or borrow more than you need) for examination fees when there was no need to? A great deal of money is made by companies charging upfront for all their exams – and hoping either that you won’t take them, or it will be a long time before you do.
It’s worth noting, in the majority of cases of ‘exam guarantees’ – you are not in control of when you can re-take the exam. They’ll only allow a re-take once completely satisfied.
VUE and Prometric examinations are around 112 pounds in Great Britain. What’s the point of paying huge ‘Exam Guarantee’ fees (often hidden in the cost) – when a quality course, support and study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.
Copyright Scott Edwards 2010. Browse around Comptia Network Plus or www.DreamweaverCS3Training4U.co.uk.
