Of Worlds

There are four A+ exams and areas of study, but you’re just expected to get certified in 2 to be considered A+ competent. For this reason, most training colleges only offer 2 paths. But allowing you to learn about all 4 options will provide you with a far greater perspective of the subject, which you’ll find an important asset in professional employment.

If you decide to become a student on the A+ training course you’ll be taught how to build, fix, repair and work in antistatic conditions. Fault finding and diagnostic techniques through hands on and remote access are also covered.

Should you decide to add Network+ training, you’ll additionally be equipped to take care of networks, meaning you’re in a position to apply for more senior positions.

Don’t forget: the training itself or a certification is not what you’re looking for; the particular job you’re training for is. Too many training companies over-emphasise the certificate itself.

You could be training for only a year and end up doing the job for 20 years. Don’t make the error of finding what seems like a program of interest to you and then put 10-20 years into something you don’t even enjoy!

Set targets for the income level you aspire to and how ambitious you are. Sometimes, this affects what particular accreditations will be expected and how much effort you’ll have to give in return.

As a precursor to beginning a study programme, it’s good advice to chat over the exact market needs with a skilled advisor, to make sure the training path covers everything needed.

If you’re thinking of using a training school that is still using workshops as a benefit of their course, then consider these problems met by most IT hopefuls:

* Many back and forth visits - sometimes hundreds of miles each and every time.

* Weekday access for workshops is the norm, and getting two to three days out of work is usually problematic for a lot of trainees who are working.

* Let’s not disregard the lost holiday days. Most of us have 4 weeks off each year. If over 50 percent is used in classes, then there’s very little left over for us.

* ‘In-Centre’ days usually get fully subscribed quite quickly, meaning we have to accept the ‘2nd best’ solution.

* Workshop pace - classes can feature trainees of different abilities, so tension can run high between those that want to go quickly as opposed to those with less experience.

* You shouldn’t overlook the added financial outlay of driving or taking public transport and over-night accommodation either. This can run to 00’s or even 000’s extra. Do the maths yourself - you’ll get a shock.

* We all enjoy our privacy. We should never risk losing any advancement that could awarded to us because our employer knows we’re retraining.

* Asking questions in front of other class-mates often makes us feel uncomfortable. Ever avoided asking a question as you honestly thought you might seem thick?

* There are those of us who on occasion live away for part of the week, consider the added problems of making the requisite days in-centre, as time is now more scarce than ever.

Wouldn’t it be better to watch a video and study with instructors one-to-one in pre-filmed modules, doing them at your convenience - not somebody else’s.

Do them at home on your PC or if you have laptop, why not get outside if the weather’s nice. If you’ve got questions, then use the provided 24×7 live support (that should come with any technical program.)

You have the ability to come back to any of the study units at any time you feel you need to. You also don’t need to take notes because the class is available whenever you want it.

Put simply: You save on money, time, hassle and steer clear of killing more trees.

(C) Jason Kendall. Check out LearningLolly.com for clear advice on Comptia Certification and Comptia Networking.