Monday, September 7, 2009

UK Networking Training Programs Compared

By Jason Kendall

If we didn't have a continuous flood of trained PC and network support personnel, commerce in the United Kingdom (along with most other places) would be likely to run into problems. Consequently, there's a constantly increasing requirement for technicians to support both users and the systems they work with. Our desire for such skilled and qualified members of the workforce is growing at an impressive rate, as everywhere we work becomes more and more dependent upon technology.

With all the options available, does it really shock us that a large percentage of newcomers to the industry don't really understand the best career path they could be successful with.

As without any commercial skills in computing, in what way could we understand what someone in a particular job does?

To attack this, a discussion is necessary, covering many different aspects:

* What hobbies you're involved with in your spare-time - as they can highlight what possibilities will satisfy you.

* For what reasons you're stepping into computing - it could be you're looking to achieve a life-long goal like being self-employed maybe.

* Where do you stand on salary vs job satisfaction?

* With everything that the IT industry covers, it's obvious you'll need to be able to see what is different.

* Our advice is to think deeply about the amount of time and effort you're going to give to your training.

For the average person, considering so much data requires a good chat with someone that can investigate each area with you. And we don't just mean the accreditations - but also the commercial requirements and expectations of industry too.

The best type of training course package will undoubtedly also include fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages.

Due to the fact that a lot of examining boards for IT tend to be American, it's essential to understand how exam questions will be phrased and formatted. It's no use just going through the right questions - it's essential that you can cope with them in the proper exam format.

Ensure that you ask for testing modules in order to test your comprehension whenever you need to. Mock exams help to build your confidence - then you're much more at ease with the real thing.

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.

Where you have a strong background, or even a touch of work-based experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then obviously the level you'll need to start at will be very different from a trainee who has no experience.

Starting with a foundation module first can be the best way to get up and running on your computer studies, but depends on your skill level.

Adding in the cost of exams up-front and offering an 'Exam Guarantee' is a popular marketing tool with a number of training colleges. However, let's consider what's really going on:

Everybody's aware that they're still being charged for it - it's quite obvious to see that it's already in the overall figure from the training company. It's absolutely not free - don't think these companies are so generous with their money!

People who take each progressive exam, funding them one at a time are in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt. They're conscious of their investment and so are more inclined to ensure they are ready.

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.

A lot of so-called credible training providers make huge profits by getting in the money for all the exam fees up-front and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do.

Remember, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - they control when and how often you are allowed to have another go. Subsequent exam attempts are only authorised at the company's say so.

Paying maybe a thousand pounds extra on an 'Exam Guarantee' is naive - when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really guarantee success.

Sometimes trainees assume that the tech college or university track is still the most effective. So why are commercial certificates slowly and steadily replacing it?

Key company training (in industry terminology) is far more specialised and product-specific. The IT sector is aware that specialisation is what's needed to service the demands of a technically advancing marketplace. Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA dominate in this arena.

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.

The crux of the matter is this: Recognised IT certifications tell an employer precisely what skills you have - it says what you do in the title: for example, I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network'. Consequently companies can identify exactly what they need and what certifications are required to fulfil that.

About the Author:

0 comments:

Post a Comment