The CompTIA A+ course has four specialist sections – you need to pass exams in 2 different areas to reach the level of competent in A+. For this reason, most training providers simply provide 2 of the training options. We consider that this isn’t enough – certainly you’ll have the qualification, but knowing about the others will give you a distinct advantage in the workplace, where you’ll need to know about all of them. So that’s why you deserve training in all four areas.
When you embark on the A+ computer training course you will develop an understanding of how to build computers and fix them, and work in antistatic conditions. You’ll also cover fault-finding and diagnostic techniques, both remotely and via direct access.
If you aspire to maintaining networks, add the very comprehensive CompTIA Network+ to your A+ course. Including Network+ will prepare you to apply for more interesting jobs. Other ones that might be interesting to you are the networking qualifications from Microsoft, i.e. MCP, MCSA MCSE.
Students will sometimes miss checking on something that can make a profound difference to their results – the way the company divides up the courseware sections, and into how many bits.
Training companies will normally offer some sort of program spread over 1-3 years, and send out each piece as you complete each section or exam. Sounds reasonable? Well consider these facts:
How would they react if you didn’t complete each and every module within the time limits imposed? And maybe you’ll find their order of completion doesn’t come as naturally as another different route may.
Ideally, you want ALL the study materials up-front – so you’ll have them all for the future to come back to – at any time you choose. This allows a variation in the order that you complete your exams if another more intuitive route presents itself.
IT has become amongst the most stimulating and innovative industries that you can get into right now. To be working on the cutting-edge of technology is to be a part of the massive changes affecting everyone who lives in the 21st century.
Technology, computers and connections through the web will dramatically shape the way we live our lives in the near future; overwhelmingly so.
Wages in the IT sector aren’t to be ignored either – the income on average in the UK for the usual IT employee is much higher than in the rest of the economy. It’s a good bet that you’ll receive quite a bit more than you’d expect to earn doing other work.
Excitingly, there is no easing up for IT expansion in the United Kingdom. The market continues to develop hugely, and we don’t have anywhere near enough qualified skilled IT professionals to fill current job vacancies, so it’s not likely that things will be any different for quite some time to come.
Let’s admit it: There really is no such thing as individual job security anymore; there can only be industry and business security – as any company can drop any single member of staff whenever it fits the company’s trade needs.
Whereas a marketplace with high growth, where staff are in constant demand (as there is a growing shortage of fully trained people), creates the conditions for true job security.
The IT skills-gap across the United Kingdom clocks in at just over 26 percent, according to the 2006 e-Skills investigation. Meaning that for every four jobs that are available around computing, there are barely three qualified workers to do them.
Attaining in-depth commercial IT qualification is consequently a ‘Fast Track’ to realise a life-long and pleasing career.
As the Information Technology market is developing at such a rate, is there any other area of industry worth taking into account for your new career.
Some training providers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance facility, designed to steer you into your first job. Because of the growing shortage of skills in Britain even when times are hard, there’s no need to make too much of this option though. It’s actually not as hard as some people make out to get your first job once you’re trained and certified.
Whatever you do, don’t wait till you have qualified before polishing up your CV. As soon as you start a course, mark down what you’re doing and place it on jobsites!
You may not have got to the stage where you’ve qualified when you will get your initial junior support role; but this can’t and won’t happen unless you’ve posted your CV on job sites.
The most reliable organisations to help you find a job are generally specialised and independent recruitment consultants. Because they only get paid when they place you, they have the necessary incentive to try that bit harder.
Please ensure you don’t spend hundreds of hours on your training and studies, and then do nothing more and expect somebody else to sort out your employment. Get off your backside and get out there. Put as much resource into finding your new role as it took to get qualified.
Copyright 2009 S. Edwards. Check out Graphic Design Portfolio or www.Alternative-Careers.co.uk/AltCarK.html.