What are the sort of things you'd expect the best training organisations accredited by Microsoft to offer a client in Britain in this day and age? Clearly, the most supreme Gold Partner training tracks certified by Microsoft, presenting a range of options to lead you to a variety of careers in the IT workplace.
Perhaps you'd like to find a training advisor, who can give you some ideas on which area of the industry would be best, and the kind of responsibilities that are appropriate for an individual with your abilities and personal preferences.
When you've settled on the career track for you, an appropriate course has to be chosen that's reflects your needs. Make sure it's well designed for you.
A successful training program will undoubtedly also offer accredited exam simulation and preparation packages.
Ensure that the practice exams are not just posing the correct questions on the right subjects, but additionally ask them in the same way that the proper exam will formulate them. It can really throw some students if they're met with completely different formats and phraseologies.
Simulated exams will prove enormously valuable for confidence building - so much so, that at the real thing, you don't get phased.
An important area that is sometimes not even considered by people mulling over a new direction is the issue of 'training segmentation'. This basically means the method used to break up the program to be delivered to you, which can make a dramatic difference to where you end up.
Typically, you will purchase a course requiring 1-3 years study and get posted one section at a time - from one exam to the next. While this may sound logical on one level, consider this:
With thought, many trainees understand that their training company's typical path to completion isn't ideal for them. They might find a slightly different order suits them better. Perhaps you don't make it at the pace they expect?
Put simply, the best option is to obtain their recommendation on the best possible order of study, but make sure you have all of your learning modules right from the beginning. Meaning you've got it all should you not complete it within their ideal time-table.
Finding your first job in the industry is often made easier if you're offered a Job Placement Assistance facility. The honest truth is that it isn't so complicated as you might think to get the right work - as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications; employers in this country need your skills.
You would ideally have CV and Interview advice and support though; and we'd encourage all students to get their CV updated the day they start training - don't delay until you've qualified.
You may not have got to the stage where you've passed your first exam when you will get your initial junior support position; but this is not possible unless you've posted your CV on job sites.
Actually, an independent and specialised local employment agency - who make their money when they've found you a job - should get better results than any division of a training company. Also of course they should know the local industry and employment needs.
A big grievance for many training providers is how much men and women are prepared to work to pass exams, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the role they're studied for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.
We're regularly asked to explain why traditional academic studies are less in demand than the more qualifications from the commercial sector?
With an ever-increasing technical demand on resources, the IT sector has moved to the specialised core-skills learning that can only be obtained from the actual vendors - for example companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. This usually turns out to involve less time and financial outlay.
Of course, a reasonable amount of relevant additional knowledge must be covered, but core specialised knowledge in the particular job function gives a commercially trained person a distinct advantage.
Imagine if you were an employer - and you required somebody who had very specific skills. What is easier: Pore through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from several applicants, having to ask what each has covered and which workplace skills have been attained, or select a specialised number of commercial certifications that perfectly fit your needs, and then choose your interviewees based around that. The interview is then more about the person and how they'll fit in - rather than on the depth of their technical knowledge.
Perhaps you'd like to find a training advisor, who can give you some ideas on which area of the industry would be best, and the kind of responsibilities that are appropriate for an individual with your abilities and personal preferences.
When you've settled on the career track for you, an appropriate course has to be chosen that's reflects your needs. Make sure it's well designed for you.
A successful training program will undoubtedly also offer accredited exam simulation and preparation packages.
Ensure that the practice exams are not just posing the correct questions on the right subjects, but additionally ask them in the same way that the proper exam will formulate them. It can really throw some students if they're met with completely different formats and phraseologies.
Simulated exams will prove enormously valuable for confidence building - so much so, that at the real thing, you don't get phased.
An important area that is sometimes not even considered by people mulling over a new direction is the issue of 'training segmentation'. This basically means the method used to break up the program to be delivered to you, which can make a dramatic difference to where you end up.
Typically, you will purchase a course requiring 1-3 years study and get posted one section at a time - from one exam to the next. While this may sound logical on one level, consider this:
With thought, many trainees understand that their training company's typical path to completion isn't ideal for them. They might find a slightly different order suits them better. Perhaps you don't make it at the pace they expect?
Put simply, the best option is to obtain their recommendation on the best possible order of study, but make sure you have all of your learning modules right from the beginning. Meaning you've got it all should you not complete it within their ideal time-table.
Finding your first job in the industry is often made easier if you're offered a Job Placement Assistance facility. The honest truth is that it isn't so complicated as you might think to get the right work - as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications; employers in this country need your skills.
You would ideally have CV and Interview advice and support though; and we'd encourage all students to get their CV updated the day they start training - don't delay until you've qualified.
You may not have got to the stage where you've passed your first exam when you will get your initial junior support position; but this is not possible unless you've posted your CV on job sites.
Actually, an independent and specialised local employment agency - who make their money when they've found you a job - should get better results than any division of a training company. Also of course they should know the local industry and employment needs.
A big grievance for many training providers is how much men and women are prepared to work to pass exams, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the role they're studied for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.
We're regularly asked to explain why traditional academic studies are less in demand than the more qualifications from the commercial sector?
With an ever-increasing technical demand on resources, the IT sector has moved to the specialised core-skills learning that can only be obtained from the actual vendors - for example companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. This usually turns out to involve less time and financial outlay.
Of course, a reasonable amount of relevant additional knowledge must be covered, but core specialised knowledge in the particular job function gives a commercially trained person a distinct advantage.
Imagine if you were an employer - and you required somebody who had very specific skills. What is easier: Pore through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from several applicants, having to ask what each has covered and which workplace skills have been attained, or select a specialised number of commercial certifications that perfectly fit your needs, and then choose your interviewees based around that. The interview is then more about the person and how they'll fit in - rather than on the depth of their technical knowledge.
About the Author:
(C) Jason Kendall. Hop over to LearningLolly.com for the best ideas on IT Training Courses and Computer Courses.