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CompTIA A Plus Career Retraining 2009

Computer training for CompTIA A+ covers four specialised areas – you need to pass exams in 2 different areas to reach the level of competent in A+. You’ll find that many training establishments simply provide 2 of the 4 sectors. We think this is too much of a compromise – yes you’ll have qualified, but training on all 4 will set you apart in the workplace, where knowledge of all four will be necessary. This is why you should train in all 4 specialities.

A+ certification on its own will allow you to fix and repair stand-alone PC’s and MAC’s; ones which are usually not part of a network – essentially the domestic or small business sector. Were you to add Network+ to your CompTIA A+ training course, you’ll also learn how to look after networks, giving you the facility to command a higher salary.

How can job security really exist anymore? In the UK for example, with businesses changing their mind on a whim, it seems increasingly unlikely. We could however discover security at market-level, by searching for areas that have high demand, coupled with a shortage of skilled staff.

The computer industry skills shortfall across the United Kingdom clocks in at just over 26 percent, as shown by the 2006 e-Skills analysis. Showing that for every four jobs that are available throughout Information Technology (IT), we have only 3 certified professionals to do them. Properly taught and commercially accredited new workers are consequently at an absolute premium, and it seems it will continue to be so for many years to come. In reality, gaining new qualifications in IT over the coming years is very likely the best career direction you could choose.

So, what questions do we need to ask to arrive at the understanding required? Because it’s evident there are some pretty tremendous prospects for everyone to look at.

For the most part, the normal person really has no clue how they should get into a computing career, or even what sector they should look at getting trained in. As having no commercial background in computing, how could any of us be expected to understand what a particular job actually consists of? Getting to any kind of right answer will only come via a thorough study across many different key points:

* The kind of person you think yourself to be – the tasks that you enjoy doing, and conversely – what you definitely don’t enjoy.

* What length of time can you allocate for the training process?

* How important is salary to you – is it the most important thing, or is job satisfaction higher up on your priority-list?

* Considering all that Information Technology encapsulates, it’s a requirement that you can understand what is different.

* You should also think long and hard about the level of commitment you’re going to invest in the accreditation program.

For most people, considering all these ideas requires a good chat with someone who can explain things properly. And we don’t just mean the qualifications – but the commercial requirements of the market as well.

If you’re like many of the students we talk to then you’re a practical sort of person – the ‘hands-on’ type. Usually, the trial of reading reference books and manuals is something you’ll make yourself do if you have to, but you’d hate it. Consider interactive, multimedia study if book-based learning really isn’t your style. Where possible, if we can involve all our senses in the learning process, then the results are usually dramatically better.

Start a study-program in which you’ll receive a library of DVD-ROM’s – you’ll be learning from instructor videos and demo’s, followed by the chance to hone your abilities through virtual lab’s. It’s imperative to see examples of the study materials provided by the company you’re considering. Be sure that they contain instructor-led video demonstrations with virtual practice-lab’s.

It’s unwise to go for purely on-line training. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from your average broadband company, ensure that you have access to disc based courseware (On CD or DVD).

The way a programme is physically sent to you is usually ignored by most students. How many stages do they break the program into? What is the specific order and do you have a say in when you’ll get each part? Delivery by courier of each element stage by stage, as you pass each exam is the usual method of releasing your program. This sounds logical, but you should take these factors into account: Maybe the order of study prescribed by the provider doesn’t suit you. And what if you don’t finish all the modules inside of their particular timetable?

For the perfect solution, you want everything at the start – giving you them all to come back to in the future – at any time you choose. This also allows you to vary the order in which you complete each objective where a more intuitive path can be found.

A lot of training companies will only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later; not many go late into the evening (after 8-9pm) or cover weekends properly. Beware of institutions which use ‘out-of-hours’ messaging systems – where an advisor will call back during standard office hours. This is no use if you’re stuck and need help now.

Keep your eyes open for study programmes that use several support centres from around the world. These should be integrated to give a single entry point and round-the-clock access, when you want it, without any problems. Find a training school that gives this level of learning support. As only true live 24×7 support delivers what is required.

Always expect authorised exam simulation and preparation programs as part of your training package. Some students can be thrown off course by going through practice questions that are not from the authorised examining boards. It’s not uncommon that the phraseology is startlingly different and it’s vital that you know this. Always have some simulated exam questions that will allow you to check your comprehension at all times. Simulated or practice exams will help to boost your attitude – then the actual exam is much easier.

Many training companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance service, to help you into your first commercial role. Because of the growing need for more IT skills in the United Kingdom at the moment, there’s no need to make too much of this option though. It isn’t so complicated as you might think to secure a job once you’re trained and certified.

However, what is relevant is to have help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews though; and we’d recommend any student to bring their CV up to date right at the beginning of their training – don’t wait until you’ve qualified. You may not have got to the stage where you’ve qualified when you’ll secure your initial junior support role; although this isn’t going to happen unless you’ve posted your CV on job sites. The top companies to get you a new position are generally local IT focused employment agencies. As they’re keen to place you to receive their commission, they have more incentive to get on with it.

A good number of students, it seems, spend evenings and weekends on their training and studies (sometimes for years), only to do nothing special when looking for the right position. Sell yourself… Work hard to put yourself out there. A job isn’t just going to bump into you.

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