There are four specialised areas of training in the complete CompTIA A+ course, of which you’ll need certification in two subjects to gain A+ competency. But only learning about 2 of the study sections is likely to leave your knowledge base somewhat light. Look for training that covers all the specialist areas – you’ll be glad you did when it comes to interview time.
Qualifying in CompTIA A+ by itself will give you the ability to repair and fix stand-alone PC’s and MAC’s; ones that are generally not connected to a network – essentially the domestic or small business sector. You might also choose to consider adding Network+ training to your A+ as you can then also look after networks of computers, and become a more senior IT professional.
Picking up on all the debate covering IT these days, how can we know what exactly to look for?
A so-called advisor who doesn’t ask many questions – the likelihood is they’re really a salesperson. If they’re pushing towards a particular product before understanding your background and current experience level, then it’s very likely to be the case. Where you have a strong background, or sometimes a little work-based experience (possibly even some previous certification?) then it’s likely your starting level will be different from someone who is just starting out. If you’re a student commencing IT study anew, it can be helpful to ease in gradually, beginning with user-skills and software training first. This is often offered with most training programs.
Any program that you’re going to undertake must provide a widely recognised accreditation as an end-result – not some little ‘in-house’ piece of paper. The main industry leaders like Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco or Adobe all have internationally approved proficiency programmes. Major-league companies like these will make sure you’re employable.
Proper support should never be taken lightly – ensure you track down something providing 24×7 full access, as anything less will frustrate you and could put a damper on the speed you move through things. Look for training where you can receive help at all hours of the day and night (no matter if it’s in the middle of the night on a weekend!) Make sure it’s always direct-access to qualified mentors and tutors, and not a call-centre that will take messages so you’re parked in a queue of others waiting to be called back during office hours.
It’s possible to find professional companies who recommend and use online direct access support 24×7 – no matter what time of day it is. Never settle for a lower level of service. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only kind to make the grade when it comes to IT training. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; but for the majority of us however, we’re at work at the time when most support is available.
Most trainers typically provide a bunch of books and manuals. This isn’t very interesting and not a very good way of studying effectively. Learning psychology studies show that we remember much more when all our senses are involved, and we get practically involved in what we’re studying.
Locate a program where you’ll get a host of CD and DVD ROM’s – you’ll be learning from instructor videos and demo’s, followed by the chance to hone your abilities through virtual lab’s. You’ll definitely want a demonstration of the study materials from the school that you’re considering. The materials should incorporate expert-led demonstrations, slideshows and lab’s for you to practice your skills in.
Some companies only have access to training that is purely available online; and while this is acceptable much of the time, think what will happen if your access to the internet is broken or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. It is usually safer to have actual CD or DVD ROMs that removes the issue entirely.
A sneaky way that training providers make extra profits is through up-front charges for exams and presenting it as a guarantee for your exams. It looks like a good deal, but is it really:
Clearly it isn’t free – you’re still being charged for it – the price has simply been included in the whole thing. For those who want to get a first time pass, then you should pay for each exam as you go, prioritise it appropriately and give the task sufficient application.
Doesn’t it make more sense to hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the time, not to pay the fees marked up by a training college, and also to sit exams more locally – instead of the remote centre that’s convenient only to the trainer? Buying a course that includes payments for examinations (plus interest – if you’re financing your study) is a false economy. Why fill a company’s coffers with your money only to please their Bank Manager! A lot bank on the fact that you will never make it to exams – but they won’t refund the cash. It’s worth noting, with ‘Exam Guarantees’ from most places – the company decides when you are allowed to have another go. You’ll have to prove conclusively that you can pass before they’ll pay for another exam.
Due to typical VUE and Prometric tests coming in at approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain, it’s common sense to fund them one by one. Not to fork out thousands extra in up-front costs. Commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.
A question; why ought we to be looking at commercial qualifications rather than more traditional academic qualifications obtained from schools and Further Education colleges? Industry is of the opinion that to cover the necessary commercial skill-sets, proper accreditation from such organisations as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA often is more effective in the commercial field – for much less time and money. Of course, a reasonable degree of background knowledge needs to be learned, but precise specialised knowledge in the areas needed gives a vendor trained student a huge edge.
The crux of the matter is this: Authorised IT qualifications give employers exactly what they’re looking for – the title says it all: as an example – I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Planning and Maintaining a Windows 2003 Infrastructure’. Therefore companies can identify just what their needs are and what certifications are required to fulfil that.
Locating job security these days is incredibly rare. Companies will remove us out of the workforce with very little notice – as long as it fits their needs. Whereas a marketplace with high growth, where there just aren’t enough staff to go round (because of a massive shortfall of fully trained workers), enables the possibility of lasting job security.
The computer industry skills shortage throughout the UK is standing at roughly 26 percent, as noted by the latest e-Skills study. To explain it in a different way, this clearly demonstrates that the country can only locate 3 certified professionals for every 4 jobs that exist today. Highly taught and commercially grounded new workers are consequently at a resounding premium, and it seems it will continue to be so for many years to come. In actuality, seeking in-depth commercial IT training during the next year or two is very likely the best choice of careers you could make.