CompTIA Computer Training Clarified

There are a total of 4 specialist training sectors in the A+ syllabus, of which 2 passes are needed for your A+ qualification. Be aware though that limiting yourself to 2 of the specialised areas could expose flaws in your knowledge when applying for a job. Choose a course with all 4 subjects - employers will notice the difference.

If you decide to become a student on the A+ training program you will develop an understanding of how to work in antistatic conditions and build and fix computers. You'll also cover fault-finding and diagnostic techniques, both remotely and via direct access.

Perhaps you see yourself as a man or woman who works for a larger company - in network support, you should include CompTIA Network+ to your training package, or alternatively look at doing an MCSA or MCSE with Microsoft because it's necessary to have a wider knowledge of the way networks work.

Those that are drawn to this type of work are often very practical, and don't always take well to classrooms, and endless reading of dry academic textbooks. If this is putting you off studying, try the newer style of interactive study, where learning is video-based.

If we're able to get all of our senses involved in our learning, then the results are usually dramatically better.

The latest audio-visual interactive programs involving demonstration and virtual lab's will beat books every time. And they're far more fun.

All companies should be able to show you a few samples of their courseware. You should hope for instructor-led videos and a variety of interactive modules.

You should avoid purely online training. You want physical CD/DVD ROM course materials where possible, as you need to be able to use them whenever it's convenient for you - ISP quality varies, so you don't want to be totally reliant on your internet connection always being 'up' and available.

Validated exam preparation and simulation materials are vital - and really must be obtained from your course provider.

Sometimes people can get confused by practising exam questions that don't come from the authorised examining boards. It's not uncommon that the question formats and phraseology is startlingly different and you should be prepared for this.

Ensure that you verify your knowledge through tests and simulated exams prior to taking the real thing.

Most people don't even think to ask about a vitally important element - how their training provider actually breaks down and delivers the courseware, and into how many bits.

Often, you will join a program requiring 1-3 years study and get sent one module each time you pass an exam. It seems to make sense on one level, but consider these issues:

What if you don't finish each and every exam? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Without any fault on your part, you may go a little slower and consequently not get all your materials.

The ideal circumstances are to get all your study materials delivered to you right at the start; the complete package! This way, nothing can happen down the line which could affect your ability to finish.

Locating job security nowadays is problematic. Businesses will drop us from the workplace at the drop of a hat - whenever it suits.

Security only exists now in a rapidly increasing marketplace, fuelled by a shortfall of trained staff. It's this alone that creates the correct background for a secure marketplace - a more attractive situation all round.

A recent national e-Skills survey showed that over 26 percent of all available IT positions cannot be filled due to a chronic shortage of appropriately certified professionals. Basically, we can't properly place more than 3 out of each four job positions in IT.

This disturbing truth reveals the requirement for more properly qualified IT professionals throughout the UK.

Actually, retraining in Information Technology throughout the next year or two is very likely the best choice of careers you could make.

Written by Scott Edwards. Check out Comptia Certification or MCSE Training.