These days, industry couldn't function properly if it weren't for support workers fixing PC's and networks, while recommending solutions to users on a day to day basis. Industry's need for better technically qualified people grows, as we become significantly more beholden to PC's in the modern world.
Finding job security nowadays is problematic. Businesses will drop us from the workforce at a moment's notice - as and when it suits them. When we come across increasing skills deficits and rising demand though, we generally locate a fresh type of security in the marketplace; driven by conditions of continuous growth, employers find it hard to locate the number of people required.
Using the computing business for instance, the 2006 e-Skills analysis highlighted a national skills shortage throughout the United Kingdom of around 26 percent. Therefore, out of each 4 positions in existence across Information Technology (IT), employers can only source certified professionals for 3 of the 4. Appropriately qualified and commercially accredited new staff are consequently at an absolute premium, and it seems it will continue to be so for many years to come. It would be hard to imagine if a better time or market circumstances is ever likely to exist for obtaining certification in this hugely expanding and budding market.
Since the UK computer sector presents so many great career possibilities for us - what questions do we need to raise and what factors are most important?
Far too many companies focus completely on the certification process, and forget why you're doing this - which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the end in mind - don't make the journey more important than where you want to get to. It's not unheard of, in many cases, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training and then find yourself trapped for decades in a career that does nothing for you, as a consequence of not performing the correct level of soul-searching at the beginning.
Spend some time thinking about how much you want to earn and the level of your ambition. Usually, this will point the way to which particular qualifications will be expected and what'll be expected of you in your new role. Have a chat with a skilled professional that knows about the sector you're looking at, and could provide an in-depth explanation of what you're going to be doing in that job. Getting all these things right before beginning a retraining programme will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.
Training support for students is an absolute must - ensure you track down something that includes 24x7 access, as not obtaining this level of support will severely impede your ability to learn. Avoid those companies who use messaging services 'out-of-hours' - with your call-back scheduled for standard office hours. This is useless when you're stuck and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
The most successful trainers have many support offices from around the world. An online system provides an interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, help is at hand, with no hassle or contact issues. Never settle for a lower level of service. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only way to go when it comes to computer-based training. Perhaps you don't intend to study during the evenings; usually though, we're at work while the support is live.
The old fashioned style of teaching, using textbooks and whiteboards, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If all this is ringing some familiar bells, check out study materials that are multimedia based. If we can study while utilising as many senses as possible, then the results are usually dramatically better.
Fully interactive motion videos utilising video demo's and practice lab's beat books hands-down. And you'll find them fun and interesting. All companies must be able to demonstrate a few examples of the materials provided for study. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and a wide selection of interactive elements.
It's usually bad advice to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, make sure you get actual CD or DVD ROM's.
Many men and women assume that the traditional school, college or university path is still the best way into IT. So why is commercial certification beginning to overtake it? With an ever-increasing technical demand on resources, the IT sector has been required to move to specialist courses only available through the vendors themselves - namely companies such as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA. This usually turns out to involve less time and financial outlay. They do this by focusing on the actual skills required (along with a relevant amount of background knowledge,) as opposed to spending months and years on the background 'extras' that computer Science Degrees can get bogged down in - to fill a three or four year course.
Think about if you were the employer - and you wanted someone who could provide a specific set of skills. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through loads of academic qualifications from several applicants, trying to establish what they know and which vocational skills they've acquired, or select a specialised number of commercial certifications that perfectly fit your needs, and make your short-list from that. You can then focus on how someone will fit into the team at interview - instead of having to work out if they can do the job.
It's essential to have an accredited exam preparation programme as part of your training package. Due to the fact that many examination boards in IT tend to be American, it's essential to understand how exam questions will be phrased and formatted. It's not sufficient simply understanding random questions - they must be in an exam format that exactly replicates the real thing. It's a good idea to ask for exam preparation tools in order to check your understanding at any point. Mock exams will help to boost your attitude - then you're much more at ease with the real thing.
A service that many training companies provide is a Job Placement Assistance program. This is to assist your search for your first position. Don't get caught up in this feature - it isn't unusual for training companies to overstate it's need. Ultimately, the massive skills shortage in Britain is why employers will be interested in you.
Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't wait for when you're ready to start work. Being considered a 'maybe' is more than not being regarded at all. A decent number of junior support roles are got by students (sometimes when they've only just got going.) If it's important to you to find work near your home, then it's quite likely that a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service could work much better for you than a national service, for they're going to have insider knowledge of what's available near you.
A common grievance of a number of training course providers is how hard people are prepared to study to get qualified, but how un-prepared that student is to get the role they're trained for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.
Finding job security nowadays is problematic. Businesses will drop us from the workforce at a moment's notice - as and when it suits them. When we come across increasing skills deficits and rising demand though, we generally locate a fresh type of security in the marketplace; driven by conditions of continuous growth, employers find it hard to locate the number of people required.
Using the computing business for instance, the 2006 e-Skills analysis highlighted a national skills shortage throughout the United Kingdom of around 26 percent. Therefore, out of each 4 positions in existence across Information Technology (IT), employers can only source certified professionals for 3 of the 4. Appropriately qualified and commercially accredited new staff are consequently at an absolute premium, and it seems it will continue to be so for many years to come. It would be hard to imagine if a better time or market circumstances is ever likely to exist for obtaining certification in this hugely expanding and budding market.
Since the UK computer sector presents so many great career possibilities for us - what questions do we need to raise and what factors are most important?
Far too many companies focus completely on the certification process, and forget why you're doing this - which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the end in mind - don't make the journey more important than where you want to get to. It's not unheard of, in many cases, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training and then find yourself trapped for decades in a career that does nothing for you, as a consequence of not performing the correct level of soul-searching at the beginning.
Spend some time thinking about how much you want to earn and the level of your ambition. Usually, this will point the way to which particular qualifications will be expected and what'll be expected of you in your new role. Have a chat with a skilled professional that knows about the sector you're looking at, and could provide an in-depth explanation of what you're going to be doing in that job. Getting all these things right before beginning a retraining programme will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.
Training support for students is an absolute must - ensure you track down something that includes 24x7 access, as not obtaining this level of support will severely impede your ability to learn. Avoid those companies who use messaging services 'out-of-hours' - with your call-back scheduled for standard office hours. This is useless when you're stuck and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
The most successful trainers have many support offices from around the world. An online system provides an interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, help is at hand, with no hassle or contact issues. Never settle for a lower level of service. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only way to go when it comes to computer-based training. Perhaps you don't intend to study during the evenings; usually though, we're at work while the support is live.
The old fashioned style of teaching, using textbooks and whiteboards, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If all this is ringing some familiar bells, check out study materials that are multimedia based. If we can study while utilising as many senses as possible, then the results are usually dramatically better.
Fully interactive motion videos utilising video demo's and practice lab's beat books hands-down. And you'll find them fun and interesting. All companies must be able to demonstrate a few examples of the materials provided for study. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and a wide selection of interactive elements.
It's usually bad advice to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, make sure you get actual CD or DVD ROM's.
Many men and women assume that the traditional school, college or university path is still the best way into IT. So why is commercial certification beginning to overtake it? With an ever-increasing technical demand on resources, the IT sector has been required to move to specialist courses only available through the vendors themselves - namely companies such as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA. This usually turns out to involve less time and financial outlay. They do this by focusing on the actual skills required (along with a relevant amount of background knowledge,) as opposed to spending months and years on the background 'extras' that computer Science Degrees can get bogged down in - to fill a three or four year course.
Think about if you were the employer - and you wanted someone who could provide a specific set of skills. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through loads of academic qualifications from several applicants, trying to establish what they know and which vocational skills they've acquired, or select a specialised number of commercial certifications that perfectly fit your needs, and make your short-list from that. You can then focus on how someone will fit into the team at interview - instead of having to work out if they can do the job.
It's essential to have an accredited exam preparation programme as part of your training package. Due to the fact that many examination boards in IT tend to be American, it's essential to understand how exam questions will be phrased and formatted. It's not sufficient simply understanding random questions - they must be in an exam format that exactly replicates the real thing. It's a good idea to ask for exam preparation tools in order to check your understanding at any point. Mock exams will help to boost your attitude - then you're much more at ease with the real thing.
A service that many training companies provide is a Job Placement Assistance program. This is to assist your search for your first position. Don't get caught up in this feature - it isn't unusual for training companies to overstate it's need. Ultimately, the massive skills shortage in Britain is why employers will be interested in you.
Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't wait for when you're ready to start work. Being considered a 'maybe' is more than not being regarded at all. A decent number of junior support roles are got by students (sometimes when they've only just got going.) If it's important to you to find work near your home, then it's quite likely that a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service could work much better for you than a national service, for they're going to have insider knowledge of what's available near you.
A common grievance of a number of training course providers is how hard people are prepared to study to get qualified, but how un-prepared that student is to get the role they're trained for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.
About the Author:
The author: Jason Kendall has worked in IT for 2 Decades. He now advises on training and accreditation. For advice on IT Training, visit LearningLolly IT Courses.
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