CompTIA A Plus Training Providers - Thoughts
Four separate areas of study make up a full CompTIA A+; you're thought of as competent at A+ when you've gained exams for 2 out of 4 subjects. For this reason, the majority of training establishments offer only two of the training courses. In reality it's necessary to have the teaching in all areas as many jobs will ask for an awareness of the whole A+ program. It isn't necessary to qualify in them all, although it would seem prudent that you at least have a working knowledge of every area.
A+ computer training courses cover fault-finding and diagnostics - both remote access and hands-on, alongside building and fixing and understanding antistatic conditions.
You might also choose to think about adding the CompTIA Network+ training as you can then also take care of computer networks, which means greater employment benefits.
Training support for students is an absolute must - ensure you track down something providing 24x7 full access, as not obtaining this level of support will severely hold up your pace and restrict your intake.
Find a good quality service with proper support available at any time you choose (even if it's early hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get direct access to tutors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages - so you're constantly waiting for a call-back at a convenient time for them.
Top training companies use multiple support centres around the globe in several time-zones. By utilising an interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, any time of the day or night, help is just a click away, without any problems or delays.
If you opt for less than online 24x7 support, you'll quickly find yourself regretting it. You may not need it in the middle of the night, but consider weekends, early mornings or even late evenings at some point.
So many training providers only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and completely avoid what it's all actually about - which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the end goal - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle.
Avoid becoming one of the unfortunate masses who choose a training program that seems 'fun' or 'interesting' - and get to the final hurdle of an accreditation for something they'll never enjoy.
Prioritise understanding what industry will expect from you. Which particular certifications they'll want you to gain and how you'll build your experience level. It's definitely worth spending time assessing how far you'd like to get as often it can force you to choose a particular set of accreditations.
Sense dictates that you look for advice and guidance from an experienced industry professional before making your final decision on some particular training course, so there's little doubt that the chosen route will give you the skill-set required for your career choice.
Getting into your first IT role sometimes feels easier to handle if you're supported with a Job Placement Assistance program. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though - it's quite easy for eager sales people to overplay it. Ultimately, the still growing need for IT personnel in this country is what will make you attractive to employers.
However, don't procrastinate and wait until you have finished your training before polishing up your CV. As soon as you start studying, enter details of your study programme and get promoting!
Getting your CV considered is more than not being regarded at all. A decent number of junior positions are bagged by people in the early stages of their course.
Generally, you'll receive better results from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than any training course provider's national service, because they will be more familiar with the area and local employers.
To bottom line it, as long as you focus the same level of energy into landing a job as into training, you're not going to hit many challenges. A number of people bizarrely put hundreds of hours into their training course and then call a halt once qualified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they're there.
Have a conversation with a skilled consultant and they'll entertain you with many awful tales of how students have been duped by salespeople. Make sure you deal with a skilled professional that asks lots of questions to find out what's right for you - not for their bank-account! Dig until you find an ideal starting-point that fits you.
Remember, if in the past you've acquired any qualifications that are related, then you will often be able to pick-up at a different starting-point to someone who is new to the field.
Opening with a basic PC skills module first is often the best way to start into your IT program, depending on your current skill level.
A+ computer training courses cover fault-finding and diagnostics - both remote access and hands-on, alongside building and fixing and understanding antistatic conditions.
You might also choose to think about adding the CompTIA Network+ training as you can then also take care of computer networks, which means greater employment benefits.
Training support for students is an absolute must - ensure you track down something providing 24x7 full access, as not obtaining this level of support will severely hold up your pace and restrict your intake.
Find a good quality service with proper support available at any time you choose (even if it's early hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get direct access to tutors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages - so you're constantly waiting for a call-back at a convenient time for them.
Top training companies use multiple support centres around the globe in several time-zones. By utilising an interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, any time of the day or night, help is just a click away, without any problems or delays.
If you opt for less than online 24x7 support, you'll quickly find yourself regretting it. You may not need it in the middle of the night, but consider weekends, early mornings or even late evenings at some point.
So many training providers only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and completely avoid what it's all actually about - which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the end goal - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle.
Avoid becoming one of the unfortunate masses who choose a training program that seems 'fun' or 'interesting' - and get to the final hurdle of an accreditation for something they'll never enjoy.
Prioritise understanding what industry will expect from you. Which particular certifications they'll want you to gain and how you'll build your experience level. It's definitely worth spending time assessing how far you'd like to get as often it can force you to choose a particular set of accreditations.
Sense dictates that you look for advice and guidance from an experienced industry professional before making your final decision on some particular training course, so there's little doubt that the chosen route will give you the skill-set required for your career choice.
Getting into your first IT role sometimes feels easier to handle if you're supported with a Job Placement Assistance program. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though - it's quite easy for eager sales people to overplay it. Ultimately, the still growing need for IT personnel in this country is what will make you attractive to employers.
However, don't procrastinate and wait until you have finished your training before polishing up your CV. As soon as you start studying, enter details of your study programme and get promoting!
Getting your CV considered is more than not being regarded at all. A decent number of junior positions are bagged by people in the early stages of their course.
Generally, you'll receive better results from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than any training course provider's national service, because they will be more familiar with the area and local employers.
To bottom line it, as long as you focus the same level of energy into landing a job as into training, you're not going to hit many challenges. A number of people bizarrely put hundreds of hours into their training course and then call a halt once qualified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they're there.
Have a conversation with a skilled consultant and they'll entertain you with many awful tales of how students have been duped by salespeople. Make sure you deal with a skilled professional that asks lots of questions to find out what's right for you - not for their bank-account! Dig until you find an ideal starting-point that fits you.
Remember, if in the past you've acquired any qualifications that are related, then you will often be able to pick-up at a different starting-point to someone who is new to the field.
Opening with a basic PC skills module first is often the best way to start into your IT program, depending on your current skill level.