Were it not for a continuous flood of trained network and PC support staff, commerce in the UK (and indeed in most countries) could well grind to a halt. There is a constantly increasing demand for men and women with technical ability to support both users and the systems they work with. Our requirement for increasing numbers of skilled and qualified individuals grows, as society becomes significantly more beholden to PC's in these modern times.
Traditional teaching in classrooms, using textbooks and whiteboards, is an up-hill struggle for the majority of us. If you're nodding as you read this, find training programs that are on-screen and interactive. Where possible, if we can involve all our senses in the learning process, then the results are usually dramatically better.
Interactive full motion video involving demonstration and virtual lab's will turn you off book-based study for ever more. And they're far more fun. Don't take any chances and look at examples of the courseware provided before you hand over your cheque. Always insist on instructor-led video demonstrations and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections.
Often, companies will only use just online versions of their training packages; and while this is acceptable much of the time, consider how you'll deal with it when you don't have access to the internet or you get a slow connection speed. It's much safer to rely on physical CD or DVD discs that will not have these problems.
A number of people think that the tech college or university track is still the best way into IT. So why then are commercial certificates becoming more popular with employers? Key company training (to use industry-speak) is far more specialised and product-specific. Industry has become aware that a specialist skill-set is what's needed to handle a technically advancing workplace. Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe are the big boys in this field. In a nutshell, students are simply taught the necessary specifics in depth. It's not quite as straightforward as that, but the principle remains that students need to concentrate on the fundamentally important skill-sets (including a degree of required background) - without trying to cram in every other area - in the way that academic establishments often do.
In simple terms: Authorised IT qualifications let employers know exactly what you're capable of - the title says it all: as an example - I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Planning and Maintaining a Windows 2003 Infrastructure'. So employers can identify just what their needs are and what certifications will be suitable to deal with those needs.
A expert and specialised advisor (in contrast with a salesperson) will ask questions and seek to comprehend your current level of ability and experience. There is no other way of working out the starting point for your education. With some real-world experience or base qualifications, your starting-point of learning is very different to someone completely new. Working through a basic PC skills module first may be the ideal way to get into your IT program, but depends on your skill level.
At the top of your shopping list for a training program should be 24x7 round-the-clock support from dedicated instructors and mentors. Far too often we see trainers who will only offer a basic 9am till 6pm support period (maybe later on certain days) with very little availability over the weekend. Never accept training that only supports students with a message system after office-staff have gone home. Trainers will try to talk you round from this line of reasoning. The bottom line is - support is required when it's required - not at times when they find it cheaper to provide it.
Be on the lookout for study programmes that have multiple support offices around the globe in several time-zones. All of them should be combined to offer a simple interface as well as 24x7 access, when it's convenient for you, without any problems. Always choose a trainer that gives this level of learning support. Because only live 24x7 round-the-clock support provides the necessary backup.
There are colossal changes washing over technology over the next generation - and it only gets more exciting every day. There are people who believe that the technological revolution we've had over recent years is lowering its pace. All indicators point in the opposite direction. We have yet to experience incredible advances, and the internet in particular will become an increasingly dominant part of our lives.
If money is way up on your goal sheet, you'll appreciate the fact that the usual remuneration of a typical IT worker is much better than with much of the rest of industry. It's evident that we have a great UK-wide demand for trained and qualified IT technicians. And with the constant growth in the marketplace, it appears this will be the case for years to come.
Traditional teaching in classrooms, using textbooks and whiteboards, is an up-hill struggle for the majority of us. If you're nodding as you read this, find training programs that are on-screen and interactive. Where possible, if we can involve all our senses in the learning process, then the results are usually dramatically better.
Interactive full motion video involving demonstration and virtual lab's will turn you off book-based study for ever more. And they're far more fun. Don't take any chances and look at examples of the courseware provided before you hand over your cheque. Always insist on instructor-led video demonstrations and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections.
Often, companies will only use just online versions of their training packages; and while this is acceptable much of the time, consider how you'll deal with it when you don't have access to the internet or you get a slow connection speed. It's much safer to rely on physical CD or DVD discs that will not have these problems.
A number of people think that the tech college or university track is still the best way into IT. So why then are commercial certificates becoming more popular with employers? Key company training (to use industry-speak) is far more specialised and product-specific. Industry has become aware that a specialist skill-set is what's needed to handle a technically advancing workplace. Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe are the big boys in this field. In a nutshell, students are simply taught the necessary specifics in depth. It's not quite as straightforward as that, but the principle remains that students need to concentrate on the fundamentally important skill-sets (including a degree of required background) - without trying to cram in every other area - in the way that academic establishments often do.
In simple terms: Authorised IT qualifications let employers know exactly what you're capable of - the title says it all: as an example - I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Planning and Maintaining a Windows 2003 Infrastructure'. So employers can identify just what their needs are and what certifications will be suitable to deal with those needs.
A expert and specialised advisor (in contrast with a salesperson) will ask questions and seek to comprehend your current level of ability and experience. There is no other way of working out the starting point for your education. With some real-world experience or base qualifications, your starting-point of learning is very different to someone completely new. Working through a basic PC skills module first may be the ideal way to get into your IT program, but depends on your skill level.
At the top of your shopping list for a training program should be 24x7 round-the-clock support from dedicated instructors and mentors. Far too often we see trainers who will only offer a basic 9am till 6pm support period (maybe later on certain days) with very little availability over the weekend. Never accept training that only supports students with a message system after office-staff have gone home. Trainers will try to talk you round from this line of reasoning. The bottom line is - support is required when it's required - not at times when they find it cheaper to provide it.
Be on the lookout for study programmes that have multiple support offices around the globe in several time-zones. All of them should be combined to offer a simple interface as well as 24x7 access, when it's convenient for you, without any problems. Always choose a trainer that gives this level of learning support. Because only live 24x7 round-the-clock support provides the necessary backup.
There are colossal changes washing over technology over the next generation - and it only gets more exciting every day. There are people who believe that the technological revolution we've had over recent years is lowering its pace. All indicators point in the opposite direction. We have yet to experience incredible advances, and the internet in particular will become an increasingly dominant part of our lives.
If money is way up on your goal sheet, you'll appreciate the fact that the usual remuneration of a typical IT worker is much better than with much of the rest of industry. It's evident that we have a great UK-wide demand for trained and qualified IT technicians. And with the constant growth in the marketplace, it appears this will be the case for years to come.
About the Author:
(C) Jason Kendall. Try LearningLolly.com for intelligent advice on Network+ Certification and Network+ Courses.