Networking Training Programs – Update
Network and computer support technicians are ever more sought after in this country, as businesses have come to depend on their technical advice and capacity to solve problems. Industry’s need for more technically qualified people grows, as we turn out to be ever more dependent on computers in the twenty first century.
Training support for students is an absolute must – ensure you track down something that provides 24×7 direct access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also hold up your pace and restrict your intake.
Email support is too slow, and telephone support is usually to a call-centre that will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor – who’ll call back sometime over the next 1-3 days, at a time suitable for them. This is no good if you’re lost and confused and only have a specific time you can study.
The best trainers utilise several support facilities across multiple time-zones. Online access provides the interactive interface to join them all seamlessly, no matter what time you login, help is just a click away, without any problems or delays.
Never compromise when you’re looking for the right support service. The majority of would-be IT professionals that throw in the towel, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).
Don’t get hung-up, as a lot of students can, on the accreditation program. You’re not training for the sake of training; you should be geared towards the actual job at the end of it. Stay focused on what it is you want to achieve.
Students often train for a single year but end up doing the actual job for 10-20 years. Don’t make the error of opting for what may seem to be an ’interesting’ course and then spend decades in a job you don’t like!
Make sure you investigate your feelings on earning potential and career progression, and how ambitious you are. It’s vital to know what the role will demand of you, what particular exams are needed and how you’ll gain real-world experience.
Before setting out on a training programme, it’s good advice to chat over individual career requirements with an experienced professional, to make sure the study program covers all that is required.
So, why is it better to gain commercial certification as opposed to traditional academic qualifications gained through schools, colleges or universities?
The IT sector now acknowledges that to cover the necessary commercial skill-sets, the right accreditation from the likes of Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe most often has much more specialised relevance – and a fraction of the cost and time.
Many degrees, for example, become confusing because of a great deal of loosely associated study – and much too wide a syllabus. This holds a student back from getting enough specific knowledge about the core essentials.
It’s a bit like the TV advert: ’It does what it says on the label’. The company just needs to know where they have gaps, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. They’ll know then that all applicants can do what they need.
Getting into your first IT role is often made easier with a Job Placement Assistance facility. Ultimately it isn’t so complicated as you might think to get employment – once you’re trained and certified; employers in this country need your skills.
However, what is relevant is to have help with your CV and interview techniques though; and we’d recommend all students to bring their CV up to date the day they start training – don’t put it off till you’ve finished your exams.
Getting onto the ’maybe’ pile of CV’s is more than not being known. Many junior jobs are got by students (sometimes when they’ve only just got going.)
Generally, you’ll receive better performance from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than you’ll get from a course provider’s employment division, because they’ll know the local area and commercial needs better.
Certainly be sure that you don’t put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, and then do nothing more and leave it up to everyone else to find you a job. Stand up for yourself and get on with the job. Channel as much resource into finding a good job as it took to get qualified.
Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Browse around Computer Courses Online or www.AdultRetrainingCourses.co.uk/eadreco.html.