by Jason Kendall
These days, most companies couldn’t function properly if it weren’t for support workers mending networks and computers, while recommending solutions to users on a constant basis. Industry’s need for better technically qualified people is enhanced, as human beings become consistently more dependent upon computers in these modern times.
Commercial certification is now, most definitely, already replacing the older academic routes into the IT sector - but why is this?
Industry now recognises that to learn the appropriate commercial skills, certified accreditation from such organisations as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe most often has much more specialised relevance - saving time and money.
In essence, students are simply taught the necessary specifics in depth. It isn’t quite as lean as that might sound, but the principle objective is to master the precisely demanded skill-sets (along with a certain amount of crucial background) - without overdoing the detail in every other area (as academia often does).
Imagine if you were an employer - and your company needed a person with some very particular skills. What should you do: Pore through loads of academic qualifications from various applicants, asking for course details and which workplace skills they’ve acquired, or pick out specific commercial accreditations that perfectly fit your needs, and then select who you want to interview from that. You’ll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than on the depth of their technical knowledge.
Look at the facts below and pay great regard to them if you believe the sales ploy of ‘guaranteeing’ exams sounds like a benefit to the student:
Thankfully, today we’re a tad more knowledgeable about sales gimmicks - and usually we cotton on to the fact that it is actually an additional cost to us (it’s not a freebie because they like us so much!)
Qualifying on the first ‘go’ is what everyone wants to do. Progressively working through your exams when it’s appropriate and funding them as you go sees you much better placed to get through first time - you prepare appropriately and are mindful of the investment you’ve made.
Do your exams at a local pro-metric testing centre and look for the very best offer you can at the time.
Big margins are made by many training colleges who incorporate exam fees into the cost of the course. For various reasons, many students don’t take their exams but the company keeps the money. Believe it or not, there are providers who actually bank on it - as that’s very profitable for them.
It’s worth noting that exam re-takes via organisations who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee’ inevitably are heavily regulated. You will be required to do mock exams until you’ve demonstrated an excellent ability to pass.
Due to typical VUE and Prometric examinations in the United Kingdom costing around 112 pounds, it makes sense to pay as you go. There’s no sense in throwing away maybe a thousand pounds extra at the start of your studies. Study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.
One thing you must always insist on is full 24×7 support through trained professional instructors and mentors. So many companies we come across only provide office hours (or extended office hours) support.
Email support is too slow, and so-called telephone support is normally just routed to a call-centre that will make some notes and then email an advisor - who will then call back sometime over the next 24hrs, at a time suitable for them. This is no good if you’re lost and confused and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.
The most successful trainers incorporate three or four individual support centres from around the world. Online access provides the interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, at any time you choose, help is at hand, with no hassle or contact issues.
If you opt for less than direct-access 24×7 support, you’ll very quickly realise that you’ve made a mistake. You may avoid using the support during late nights, but you may need weekends, evenings and early mornings at some point.
Frequently, your normal trainee has no idea how they should get into Information Technology, or even what sector is worth considering for retraining.
What chances do most of us have of understanding the many facets of a particular career when it’s an alien environment to us? Most likely we don’t even know anybody who does that actual job anyway.
Deliberation over these factors is required when you want to dig down the right answers:
* Personalities play a significant role - what gets you ‘up and running’, and what tasks you really dislike.
* Why you want to consider getting involved with Information Technology - maybe you’d like to overcome a particular goal like being your own boss for example.
* Is the money you make further up on your priority-list than other requirements.
* Getting to grips with what the main IT types and sectors are - including what sets them apart.
* Taking a cold, hard look at how much time and effort that you can put aside.
The bottom line is, the most intelligent way of understanding everything necessary is from a good talk with someone who through years of experience will lead you to the correct decision.
It can be a nerve-racking task, but securing your first job is often relieved by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance facility. Because of the great skills shortage in the UK right now, it’s not necessary to place too much emphasis on this feature however. It isn’t such a complex operation to secure employment as long as you’re correctly trained and certified.
Nevertheless, avoid waiting until you’ve completed your exams before getting your CV updated. As soon as you start studying, list what you’re working on and tell people about it!
Getting onto the ‘maybe’ pile of CV’s is more than not being known. Many junior positions are offered to students in the early stages of their course.
Generally, a specialist locally based recruitment consultant or service (who will get paid commission to place you) should get better results than any sector of a centralised training facility. It also stands to reason that they’ll be familiar with the area and local employers better.
Please be sure that you don’t put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, just to give up and leave it in the hands of the gods to find you a job. Take responsibility for yourself and make your own enquiries. Channel as much energy and enthusiasm into landing the right position as it took to get qualified.
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