CompTIA Career Retraining Uncovered
Computer training for CompTIA A+ covers four specialised areas - you'll need exam certification in two of these areas to reach the level of A+ competent. You'll find that most colleges limit their course to 2 of the 4 sectors. Our opinion is this isn't enough - certainly you'll have the qualification, but experience of all four will give you greater confidence in industry, where gaps in your knowledge will expose weaknesses. This is why you should train in everything.
A+ computer training courses cover fault-finding and diagnostics - via hands on and remote access, as well as building and fixing and having knowledge of antistatic conditions.
Should you fancy yourself as the kind of individual who is involved with a big team - supporting, fixing and maintaining networks, you should include CompTIA Network+ to your training package, or consider an MCSA or MCSE with Microsoft in order to have a better comprehension of how networks work.
We can all agree: There really is very little evidence of individual job security available anymore; there can only be market or business security - a company will let anyone go whenever it fits the business' trade requirements.
However, a marketplace with high growth, with huge staffing demands (as there is a massive shortfall of fully trained professionals), creates the conditions for true job security.
Using the Information Technology (IT) sector for example, the 2006 e-Skills analysis highlighted a skills deficit in Great Britain in excess of 26 percent. Essentially, we only have the national capacity to fill just three out of every 4 jobs in the computer industry.
Fully skilled and commercially grounded new employees are thus at a resounding premium, and it looks like they will be for much longer.
It would be hard to imagine if a better time or market conditions is ever likely to exist for getting trained into this quickly emerging and evolving market.
A useful feature that many training companies provide is a programme of Job Placement assistance. The service is put in place to help you get your first commercial position. Sometimes, this feature is bigged up too much, as it is actually not that hard for well qualified and focused men and women to land work in this industry - as there is such a shortage of well trained people.
You would ideally have CV and Interview advice and support though; also we would encourage any student to work on polishing up their CV the day they start training - don't put it off for when you're ready to start work.
You'll often find that you'll secure your initial position whilst you're still studying (even when you've just left first base). If you haven't updated your CV to say what you're studying (and it isn't in the hands of someone with jobs to offer) then you're not even going to be known about!
In many cases, an independent and specialised local employment service (who will, of course, be keen to place you to receive their commission) should get better results than any sector of a centralised training facility. In addition, they will no doubt know the local industry and employment needs.
Just be sure that you don't spend hundreds of hours on your training and studies, only to stop and leave it up to everyone else to sort out your employment. Get off your backside and make your own enquiries. Put the same energy and enthusiasm into getting the right position as you did to gain the skills.
We'd hazard a guess that you're a practical sort of person - a 'hands-on' type. If you're like us, the unfortunate chore of reading reference guides can be just about bared when essential, but it doesn't suit your way of doing things. Consider interactive, multimedia study if books just don't do it for you.
We see a huge improvement in memory retention when we use multiple senses - educational experts have expounded on this for years now.
Locate a program where you'll receive a selection of CD and DVD based materials - you'll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, and then have the opportunity to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills.
Each company you're contemplating must be pushed to demo a few samples of the materials provided for study. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and interactive areas to practice in.
It is generally unwise to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, ensure that you have access to CD or DVD ROM based materials.
There are colossal changes flooding technology over the next generation - and this means greater innovations all the time.
Computing technology and connections through the internet will noticeably affect our lifestyles over future years; profoundly so.
A typical IT technician across the UK is likely to earn significantly more than his or her counterpart outside of IT. Typical remuneration packages are around the top of national league tables.
Because the IT market sector is still growing with no sign of a slow-down, it's predictable that the requirement for certified IT professionals will continue actively for decades to come.
Incorporating exam fees up-front and offering an 'Exam Guarantee' is a popular marketing tool with many training course providers. But look at the facts:
You're paying for it one way or another. You can be assured it's not a freebie - they've just worked it into the package price.
The honest truth is that if a student pays for their own exams, one by one, the chances are they're going to qualify each time - since they're aware of the cost and so will prepare more thoroughly.
Why should you pay the training course provider early for exam fees? Go for the best offer when you're ready, instead of paying a premium - and do it in a local testing centre - rather than possibly hours away from your area.
Paying in advance for exam fees (and if you're financing your study there'll be interest on that) is bad financial management. Why fill a company's coffers with your hard-earned cash just to give them a good cash-flow! There are those who hope that you will never make it to exams - then they'll keep the extra money.
It's worth noting, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - they control when and how often you can do your re-takes. You'll have to prove conclusively that you can pass before they'll pay for another exam.
Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on an 'Exam Guarantee' is short-sighted - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is what will really see you through.
A+ computer training courses cover fault-finding and diagnostics - via hands on and remote access, as well as building and fixing and having knowledge of antistatic conditions.
Should you fancy yourself as the kind of individual who is involved with a big team - supporting, fixing and maintaining networks, you should include CompTIA Network+ to your training package, or consider an MCSA or MCSE with Microsoft in order to have a better comprehension of how networks work.
We can all agree: There really is very little evidence of individual job security available anymore; there can only be market or business security - a company will let anyone go whenever it fits the business' trade requirements.
However, a marketplace with high growth, with huge staffing demands (as there is a massive shortfall of fully trained professionals), creates the conditions for true job security.
Using the Information Technology (IT) sector for example, the 2006 e-Skills analysis highlighted a skills deficit in Great Britain in excess of 26 percent. Essentially, we only have the national capacity to fill just three out of every 4 jobs in the computer industry.
Fully skilled and commercially grounded new employees are thus at a resounding premium, and it looks like they will be for much longer.
It would be hard to imagine if a better time or market conditions is ever likely to exist for getting trained into this quickly emerging and evolving market.
A useful feature that many training companies provide is a programme of Job Placement assistance. The service is put in place to help you get your first commercial position. Sometimes, this feature is bigged up too much, as it is actually not that hard for well qualified and focused men and women to land work in this industry - as there is such a shortage of well trained people.
You would ideally have CV and Interview advice and support though; also we would encourage any student to work on polishing up their CV the day they start training - don't put it off for when you're ready to start work.
You'll often find that you'll secure your initial position whilst you're still studying (even when you've just left first base). If you haven't updated your CV to say what you're studying (and it isn't in the hands of someone with jobs to offer) then you're not even going to be known about!
In many cases, an independent and specialised local employment service (who will, of course, be keen to place you to receive their commission) should get better results than any sector of a centralised training facility. In addition, they will no doubt know the local industry and employment needs.
Just be sure that you don't spend hundreds of hours on your training and studies, only to stop and leave it up to everyone else to sort out your employment. Get off your backside and make your own enquiries. Put the same energy and enthusiasm into getting the right position as you did to gain the skills.
We'd hazard a guess that you're a practical sort of person - a 'hands-on' type. If you're like us, the unfortunate chore of reading reference guides can be just about bared when essential, but it doesn't suit your way of doing things. Consider interactive, multimedia study if books just don't do it for you.
We see a huge improvement in memory retention when we use multiple senses - educational experts have expounded on this for years now.
Locate a program where you'll receive a selection of CD and DVD based materials - you'll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, and then have the opportunity to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills.
Each company you're contemplating must be pushed to demo a few samples of the materials provided for study. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and interactive areas to practice in.
It is generally unwise to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, ensure that you have access to CD or DVD ROM based materials.
There are colossal changes flooding technology over the next generation - and this means greater innovations all the time.
Computing technology and connections through the internet will noticeably affect our lifestyles over future years; profoundly so.
A typical IT technician across the UK is likely to earn significantly more than his or her counterpart outside of IT. Typical remuneration packages are around the top of national league tables.
Because the IT market sector is still growing with no sign of a slow-down, it's predictable that the requirement for certified IT professionals will continue actively for decades to come.
Incorporating exam fees up-front and offering an 'Exam Guarantee' is a popular marketing tool with many training course providers. But look at the facts:
You're paying for it one way or another. You can be assured it's not a freebie - they've just worked it into the package price.
The honest truth is that if a student pays for their own exams, one by one, the chances are they're going to qualify each time - since they're aware of the cost and so will prepare more thoroughly.
Why should you pay the training course provider early for exam fees? Go for the best offer when you're ready, instead of paying a premium - and do it in a local testing centre - rather than possibly hours away from your area.
Paying in advance for exam fees (and if you're financing your study there'll be interest on that) is bad financial management. Why fill a company's coffers with your hard-earned cash just to give them a good cash-flow! There are those who hope that you will never make it to exams - then they'll keep the extra money.
It's worth noting, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - they control when and how often you can do your re-takes. You'll have to prove conclusively that you can pass before they'll pay for another exam.
Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on an 'Exam Guarantee' is short-sighted - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is what will really see you through.
About the Author:
(C) Jason Kendall. Look at LearningLolly.com for the best information on Comptia Courses and Comptia Certification Course.
Post a Comment