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 want to work towards being responsible for networks of computers, you'll need to add CompTIA Network+ to your training package. This qualification will prepare you to command a more senior job role. You may also want to consider the route to networking via Microsoft, in the form of MCP's, MCSA or the full MCSE.
Wouldn't it be great to know for sure that our jobs will remain safe and the future is protected, but the growing reality for most jobs around the United Kingdom currently appears to be that the marketplace is far from secure.
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.
Looking at the IT sector, a key e-Skills study showed a more than 26 percent skills deficit. Therefore, out of each 4 positions that are available throughout IT, businesses are only able to find certified professionals for three of them.
Accomplishing in-depth commercial IT accreditation is consequently a 'Fast Track' to achieve a life-long and rewarding profession.
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.
Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance service, to help you into your first commercial role. With the huge skills shortage in Great Britain today, it's not too important to place too much emphasis on this feature however. It's not as difficult as you may be led to believe to get your first job as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications.
Work on polishing up your CV right away however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't wait till the exams have actually been passed.
Many junior support roles have been bagged by people who are still studying and haven't got any qualifications yet. This will at least get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile.
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.
Fundamentally, as long as you put the same commitment into finding a job as into studying, you won't have any problems. A number of men and women curiously put hundreds of hours into their course materials and then call a halt once certified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they're there.
Traditional teaching in classrooms, using textbooks and whiteboards, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If you're nodding as you read this, check out study materials that are on-screen and interactive.
We see a huge improvement in memory retention when we use multiple senses - educational experts have expounded on this for years now.
Interactive full motion video featuring instructor demo's and practice lab's will turn you off book-based study for ever more. And you'll find them fun and interesting.
You'll definitely want a demonstration of the study materials from the training company. The package should contain instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and interactive labs where you get to practice.
Often, companies will only use online training only; and although this is okay the majority of the time, consider how you'll deal with it when you don't have access to the internet or you only get very a very slow connection sometimes. It's much safer to rely on DVD or CD discs that removes the issue entirely.
Being a part of the information technology industry is one of the more electrifying and revolutionary industries to be involved in today. To be dealing with leading-edge technology puts you at the fore-front of developments that will impact the whole world for generations to come.
Computing technology and connections through the internet will noticeably affect our lifestyles over future years; profoundly so.
Let's not ignore salaries moreover - the income on average in the UK for an average person working in IT is noticeably better than remuneration packages in other sectors. It's likely you'll make a much better deal than you'd expect to earn doing other work.
The requirement for properly certified IT professionals is assured for quite some time to come, due to the continuous expansion in the marketplace and the huge shortage that we still have.
Review the points below carefully if you've been persuaded that that over-used sales technique about an 'Exam Guarantee' sounds great value:
Obviously it's not free - you're still being charged for it - the cost has just been rolled into the whole training package.
Qualifying on the first 'go' is what everyone wants to do. Entering examinations in order and paying as you go has a marked effect on pass-rates - you put the effort in and are conscious of what you've spent.
Do your exams as locally as possible and hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take it.
Many unscrupulous training colleges make big margins through charging for examinations upfront and hoping you won't see them all through.
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.
With average Prometric and VUE examinations coming in at approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain, by far the best option is to pay for them as you take them. Not to fork out thousands extra in up-front costs. A commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.
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 want to work towards being responsible for networks of computers, you'll need to add CompTIA Network+ to your training package. This qualification will prepare you to command a more senior job role. You may also want to consider the route to networking via Microsoft, in the form of MCP's, MCSA or the full MCSE.
Wouldn't it be great to know for sure that our jobs will remain safe and the future is protected, but the growing reality for most jobs around the United Kingdom currently appears to be that the marketplace is far from secure.
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.
Looking at the IT sector, a key e-Skills study showed a more than 26 percent skills deficit. Therefore, out of each 4 positions that are available throughout IT, businesses are only able to find certified professionals for three of them.
Accomplishing in-depth commercial IT accreditation is consequently a 'Fast Track' to achieve a life-long and rewarding profession.
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.
Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance service, to help you into your first commercial role. With the huge skills shortage in Great Britain today, it's not too important to place too much emphasis on this feature however. It's not as difficult as you may be led to believe to get your first job as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications.
Work on polishing up your CV right away however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't wait till the exams have actually been passed.
Many junior support roles have been bagged by people who are still studying and haven't got any qualifications yet. This will at least get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile.
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.
Fundamentally, as long as you put the same commitment into finding a job as into studying, you won't have any problems. A number of men and women curiously put hundreds of hours into their course materials and then call a halt once certified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they're there.
Traditional teaching in classrooms, using textbooks and whiteboards, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If you're nodding as you read this, check out study materials that are on-screen and interactive.
We see a huge improvement in memory retention when we use multiple senses - educational experts have expounded on this for years now.
Interactive full motion video featuring instructor demo's and practice lab's will turn you off book-based study for ever more. And you'll find them fun and interesting.
You'll definitely want a demonstration of the study materials from the training company. The package should contain instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and interactive labs where you get to practice.
Often, companies will only use online training only; and although this is okay the majority of the time, consider how you'll deal with it when you don't have access to the internet or you only get very a very slow connection sometimes. It's much safer to rely on DVD or CD discs that removes the issue entirely.
Being a part of the information technology industry is one of the more electrifying and revolutionary industries to be involved in today. To be dealing with leading-edge technology puts you at the fore-front of developments that will impact the whole world for generations to come.
Computing technology and connections through the internet will noticeably affect our lifestyles over future years; profoundly so.
Let's not ignore salaries moreover - the income on average in the UK for an average person working in IT is noticeably better than remuneration packages in other sectors. It's likely you'll make a much better deal than you'd expect to earn doing other work.
The requirement for properly certified IT professionals is assured for quite some time to come, due to the continuous expansion in the marketplace and the huge shortage that we still have.
Review the points below carefully if you've been persuaded that that over-used sales technique about an 'Exam Guarantee' sounds great value:
Obviously it's not free - you're still being charged for it - the cost has just been rolled into the whole training package.
Qualifying on the first 'go' is what everyone wants to do. Entering examinations in order and paying as you go has a marked effect on pass-rates - you put the effort in and are conscious of what you've spent.
Do your exams as locally as possible and hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take it.
Many unscrupulous training colleges make big margins through charging for examinations upfront and hoping you won't see them all through.
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.
With average Prometric and VUE examinations coming in at approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain, by far the best option is to pay for them as you take them. Not to fork out thousands extra in up-front costs. A commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.
About the Author:
(C) Jason Kendall. Check out LearningLolly.com for intelligent career tips on Comptia Certification Course and Comptia Courses.