Computer and network support staff are ever more sought after in the United Kingdom, as organisations have come to depend on their technical advice and ability to fix and repair. Whereupon we’re all becoming massively more dependent on our PC’s, we simultaneously emerge as more dependent on the commercially qualified IT networkers, who keep the systems going.
It would be wonderful to believe that our jobs are safe and our work prospects are protected, however, the truth for most sectors in Great Britain right now seems to be that the marketplace is far from secure. Where there are rising skills shortfalls together with increasing demand of course, we almost always locate a new kind of security in the marketplace; as fuelled by conditions of continuous growth, organisations struggle to find the number of people required.
Using the Information Technology (IT) business for example, the 2006 e-Skills investigation demonstrated major skills shortages throughout the United Kingdom in excess of 26 percent. Put directly, we only have the national capacity to fill just three out of each 4 job positions in the computing industry. This glaring fact clearly demonstrates the requirement for more properly certified computing professionals in the United Kingdom. While the market is evolving at the speed it is, is there any other market worth investigating for a new future.
How can we go about making a good choice then? With all these possibilities, it’s important to know where to investigate - and what it is we should be digging for.
Many companies focus completely on the certification process, and forget why you’re doing this - which will always be getting the job or career you want. You should always begin with the final destination in mind - don’t make the vehicle more important than the destination. Students often train for a single year but end up doing a job for a lifetime. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of opting for what may seem to be an ‘interesting’ training program only to waste your life away with an unrewarding career!
Spend some time thinking about how much you want to earn and the level of your ambition. Usually, this will point the way to which particular qualifications will be expected and what’ll be expected of you in your new role. Have a chat with a skilled professional that knows about the sector you’re looking at, and could provide an in-depth explanation of what you’re going to be doing in that job. Getting all these things right before beginning a retraining programme will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.
Training support for students is an absolute must - ensure you track down something that includes 24×7 access, as not obtaining this level of support will severely impede your ability to learn. Avoid those companies who use messaging services ‘out-of-hours’ - with your call-back scheduled for standard office hours. This is useless when you’re stuck and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
The best trainers have many support offices active in different time-zones. Online access provides the interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, no matter what time you login, help is at hand, without any contact issues or hassle. If you opt for less than support round-the-clock, you’ll regret it. You may avoid using the support late at night, but consider weekends, late evenings or early mornings
The classroom style of learning we remember from school, using textbooks and whiteboards, is often a huge slog for most of us. If you’re nodding as you read this, look for learning programmes which feature interactive and multimedia modules. Research into the way we learn shows that memory is aided when we involve as many senses as possible, and we put into practice what we’ve been studying.
Fully interactive motion videos utilising video demo’s and practice lab’s beat books hands-down. And you’ll find them fun and interesting. All companies must be able to demonstrate a few examples of the materials provided for study. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and a wide selection of interactive elements.
It’s usually bad advice to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, make sure you get actual CD or DVD ROM’s.
Many men and women assume that the state educational path is still the most effective. Why then are commercial certificates beginning to overtake it? Accreditation-based training (to use industry-speak) is far more specialised and product-specific. Industry has become aware that this level of specialised understanding is essential to meet the requirements of a technologically complex commercial environment. Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe are the dominant players. Essentially, only that which is required is learned. It’s not quite as straightforward as that, but the most important function is always to master the precisely demanded skill-sets (alongside some required background) - without going into too much detail in everything else (as universities often do).
Imagine if you were an employer - and your company needed a person with some very particular skills. What is easier: Pore through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from graduate applicants, asking for course details and which workplace skills they have, or choose particular accreditations that perfectly fit your needs, and make your short-list from that. You can then focus on how someone will fit into the team at interview - instead of having to work out if they can do the job.
The best type of package of training will have fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages. Steer clear of relying on unofficial preparation materials for exams. The type of questions asked can be completely unlike authorised versions - and this leads to huge confusion when it comes to taking the real exam. Always ask for testing modules so you can verify your knowledge at any point. Practice exams will help to boost your attitude - then the real thing isn’t quite as scary.
Many training companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to help you get your first job. The honest truth is that it’s not as hard as some people make out to secure a job - once you’re trained and certified; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.
However, what is relevant is to have CV and Interview advice and support though; additionally, we would recommend all students to update their CV right at the beginning of their training - don’t wait for when you’re ready to start work. You may not have got to the stage where you’ve qualified when you land your first junior support position; however this is not possible if interviewers don’t get sight of your CV. Normally you’ll get better results from a specialist independent regional employment service than you’ll get from a training company’s recruitment division, as they will understand the local industry and employment needs.
A common grievance of a number of training course providers is how hard people are prepared to study to get qualified, but how un-prepared that student is to get the role they’re trained for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it’s fun.
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