Discussing CompTIA Network Plus Training (150509)
Currently in the UK, industry would struggle if it weren't for support workers fixing networks and computers, while making recommendations to users on a constant basis. With the increasingly multifaceted levels of technological advances, greater numbers of qualified workers are required to look after the various different areas we've become dependent on.
Listening to the sheer volume of debate on the area of IT at present, how do we know what exactly to look for?
Make sure you don't get caught-up, like so many people do, on the training course itself. Training for training's sake is generally pointless; you should be geared towards the actual job at the end of it. Begin and continue with the end in mind. It's a terrible situation, but a large percentage of students kick-off study that often sounds wonderful in the marketing materials, but which provides a job that doesn't fulfil at all. Speak to a selection of university students for examples.
You also need to know how you feel about earning potential and career progression, and if you're ambitious or not. You should understand what the role will demand of you, which exams they want you to have and how to develop your experience. All students are advised to talk with an experienced industry professional before following a particular study programme. This gives some measure of assurance that it contains the commercially required skills for the career path that has been chosen.
Consider only study courses that'll lead to industry accepted accreditations. There are way too many trainers suggesting their own 'in-house' certificates that are essentially useless when you start your job-search. You'll discover that only industry recognised accreditation from the likes of Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe and Cisco will have any meaning to employers.
Often, trainers provide piles of reference manuals and workbooks. This isn't very interesting and not really conducive to remembering. Long-term memory is enhanced when we use multiple senses - learning experts have been saying this for many years.
Courses are now available on CD and DVD discs, so you can study at your own computer. Through video streaming, you will be able to see the instructor presenting exactly how something is done, and then practice yourself - in a virtual lab environment. You really need to look at courseware examples from the company you're considering. They have to utilise full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab's to practice the skills in.
Avoiding training that is delivered purely online is generally a good idea. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where offered, as you need to be able to use them whenever it's convenient for you - it's not wise to be held hostage to a good broadband connection all the time.
Most training providers will only provide basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); very few go late in the evening or at weekends. Beware of institutions who use messaging services 'out-of-hours' - with the call-back coming in during office hours. This is no use if you're stuck and want support there and then.
We recommend looking for training programs that utilise many support facilities active in different time-zones. All of them should be combined to offer a simple interface together with 24x7 access, when you need it, with no fuss. Never compromise where support is concerned. The majority of students who throw in the towel, would have had a different experience if they'd got the right support package in the first place.
Review the following points very carefully if you're inclined to think the sales ploy of an 'Exam Guarantee' sounds great value:
Everybody's aware that they're still footing the bill for it - obviously it has been inserted into the gross price invoiced by the training company. Certainly, it's not a freebie (it's just marketing companies think we'll fall for anything they say!) It's well known in the industry that if a student pays for each examination, at the time of taking them, there's a much better chance they'll pass first time - because they'll think of their investment in themselves and their application will be greater.
Don't pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you when you're ready, and hang on to your cash. In addition, it's then your choice where to sit the exam - so you can choose somewhere closer to home. Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on examination fees when you don't need to? A lot of profit is made because training colleges are getting money in early for exam fees - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. The majority of organisations will require you to sit pre-tests and not allow you to re-take an exam until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.
Spending hundreds or even thousands extra on 'Exam Guarantees' is short-sighted - when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will get you through.
So, why ought we to be looking at commercially accredited qualifications as opposed to traditional academic qualifications gained through the state educational establishments? Vendor-based training (as it's known in the industry) is more effective in the commercial field. Industry has realised that specialisation is what's needed to meet the requirements of a technologically complex marketplace. Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA are the dominant players. In essence, the learning just focuses on what's actually required. It's slightly more broad than that, but the principle objective is to master the precisely demanded skill-sets (alongside some required background) - without overdoing the detail in every other area (as universities often do).
If an employer is aware what work they need doing, then they simply need to advertise for the particular skill-set required. Commercial syllabuses all have to conform to the same requirements and aren't allowed to deviate (in the way that degree courses can).
At times individuals don't catch on to what information technology is doing for all of us. It is electrifying, revolutionary, and means you're working on technology that will affect us all over the next generation. We are really only just starting to understand how this will truly impact our way of life. How we communicate and interact with everyone around us will be profoundly affected by technology and the internet.
If making decent money is up there on your wish list, then you will welcome the news that the usual remuneration for IT employees in general is significantly greater than salaries in the rest of the economy. Experts agree that there's a significant UK-wide need for trained and qualified IT technicians. In addition, as growth in the industry shows little sign of contracting, it appears this pattern will continue for the significant future.
Listening to the sheer volume of debate on the area of IT at present, how do we know what exactly to look for?
Make sure you don't get caught-up, like so many people do, on the training course itself. Training for training's sake is generally pointless; you should be geared towards the actual job at the end of it. Begin and continue with the end in mind. It's a terrible situation, but a large percentage of students kick-off study that often sounds wonderful in the marketing materials, but which provides a job that doesn't fulfil at all. Speak to a selection of university students for examples.
You also need to know how you feel about earning potential and career progression, and if you're ambitious or not. You should understand what the role will demand of you, which exams they want you to have and how to develop your experience. All students are advised to talk with an experienced industry professional before following a particular study programme. This gives some measure of assurance that it contains the commercially required skills for the career path that has been chosen.
Consider only study courses that'll lead to industry accepted accreditations. There are way too many trainers suggesting their own 'in-house' certificates that are essentially useless when you start your job-search. You'll discover that only industry recognised accreditation from the likes of Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe and Cisco will have any meaning to employers.
Often, trainers provide piles of reference manuals and workbooks. This isn't very interesting and not really conducive to remembering. Long-term memory is enhanced when we use multiple senses - learning experts have been saying this for many years.
Courses are now available on CD and DVD discs, so you can study at your own computer. Through video streaming, you will be able to see the instructor presenting exactly how something is done, and then practice yourself - in a virtual lab environment. You really need to look at courseware examples from the company you're considering. They have to utilise full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab's to practice the skills in.
Avoiding training that is delivered purely online is generally a good idea. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where offered, as you need to be able to use them whenever it's convenient for you - it's not wise to be held hostage to a good broadband connection all the time.
Most training providers will only provide basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); very few go late in the evening or at weekends. Beware of institutions who use messaging services 'out-of-hours' - with the call-back coming in during office hours. This is no use if you're stuck and want support there and then.
We recommend looking for training programs that utilise many support facilities active in different time-zones. All of them should be combined to offer a simple interface together with 24x7 access, when you need it, with no fuss. Never compromise where support is concerned. The majority of students who throw in the towel, would have had a different experience if they'd got the right support package in the first place.
Review the following points very carefully if you're inclined to think the sales ploy of an 'Exam Guarantee' sounds great value:
Everybody's aware that they're still footing the bill for it - obviously it has been inserted into the gross price invoiced by the training company. Certainly, it's not a freebie (it's just marketing companies think we'll fall for anything they say!) It's well known in the industry that if a student pays for each examination, at the time of taking them, there's a much better chance they'll pass first time - because they'll think of their investment in themselves and their application will be greater.
Don't pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you when you're ready, and hang on to your cash. In addition, it's then your choice where to sit the exam - so you can choose somewhere closer to home. Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on examination fees when you don't need to? A lot of profit is made because training colleges are getting money in early for exam fees - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. The majority of organisations will require you to sit pre-tests and not allow you to re-take an exam until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.
Spending hundreds or even thousands extra on 'Exam Guarantees' is short-sighted - when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will get you through.
So, why ought we to be looking at commercially accredited qualifications as opposed to traditional academic qualifications gained through the state educational establishments? Vendor-based training (as it's known in the industry) is more effective in the commercial field. Industry has realised that specialisation is what's needed to meet the requirements of a technologically complex marketplace. Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA are the dominant players. In essence, the learning just focuses on what's actually required. It's slightly more broad than that, but the principle objective is to master the precisely demanded skill-sets (alongside some required background) - without overdoing the detail in every other area (as universities often do).
If an employer is aware what work they need doing, then they simply need to advertise for the particular skill-set required. Commercial syllabuses all have to conform to the same requirements and aren't allowed to deviate (in the way that degree courses can).
At times individuals don't catch on to what information technology is doing for all of us. It is electrifying, revolutionary, and means you're working on technology that will affect us all over the next generation. We are really only just starting to understand how this will truly impact our way of life. How we communicate and interact with everyone around us will be profoundly affected by technology and the internet.
If making decent money is up there on your wish list, then you will welcome the news that the usual remuneration for IT employees in general is significantly greater than salaries in the rest of the economy. Experts agree that there's a significant UK-wide need for trained and qualified IT technicians. In addition, as growth in the industry shows little sign of contracting, it appears this pattern will continue for the significant future.
About the Author:
With 2 Decades experience, author Jason Kendall, battles for cheaper, superior multimedia UK education. If you're interested in Network+ Certification, visit LearningLolly Comptia Network+.