Four specialist training areas feature in the complete CompTIA A+ course, of which 2 passes are needed to gain A+ competency. We would advise however that restricting yourself to two out of the 4 subjects available might well not equip you for a job. Look for training that covers all the specialist areas – for greater confidence in the world of work.
A+ computer training courses cover diagnostics and fault finding – both remote access and hands-on, as well as learning to build, repair and fix and working in antistatic conditions.
You might also choose to think about doing Network+ as it will enable you to work with networks, which means greater employment benefits.
Often, students don\’t think to check on a vitally important element – the way the company actually breaks down and delivers the courseware sections, and into how many separate packages.
You may think it logical (with a typical time scale of 1-3 years to gain full certified status,) that a training provider will issue the courseware in stages, until you\’ve passed all the exams. Although:
What if you don\’t finish all the sections or exams? And what if the order provided doesn\’t meet your requirements? Due to no fault of yours, you mightn\’t complete everything fast enough and not get all the study materials as a result.
To be in the best situation you would have all your study materials couriered to your address right at the beginning; the complete package! Thus avoiding any future problems that could impede your capability of finishing.
Make sure that all your certifications are what employers want – don\’t bother with programmes that only give in-house certificates.
The main industry leaders such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco have globally recognised proficiency programs. These heavyweights will ensure your employability.
The age-old way of teaching, involving piles of reference textbooks, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If you\’re nodding as you read this, dig around for more practical courses that are multimedia based.
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Research into the way we learn shows that long term memory is improved when all our senses are involved, and we get physically involved with the study process.
Locate a program where you\’ll get a host of DVD-ROM\’s – you\’ll start with videos of instructor demonstrations, followed by the chance to use virtual lab\’s to practice your new skills.
Each company you\’re contemplating should be able to show you some samples of their courseware. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and a variety of interactive modules.
Often, companies will only use training that is purely available online; and although this is okay the majority of the time, think what will happen if internet access is lost or you get slow speeds and down-time etc. It\’s much safer to rely on physical CD or DVD discs that will solve that problem.
Finding job security nowadays is incredibly rare. Businesses will throw us from the workplace at the drop of a hat – as and when it suits them.
It\’s possible though to hit upon security at market-level, by digging for areas of high demand, tied with a shortage of skilled staff.
Reviewing the Information Technology (IT) market, the 2006 e-Skills study highlighted a twenty six percent skills deficit. Therefore, out of each 4 positions in existence in Information Technology (IT), companies can only source enough qualified individuals for 3 of the 4.
Highly taught and commercially grounded new workers are as a result at a resounding premium, and in all likelihood it will stay that way for many years longer.
Quite simply, acquiring professional IT skills during the coming years is likely the greatest choice of careers you could make.
(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Pop over to Comptia Training or CLICK HERE.
