Discussing CompTIA Network Plus Training (300409)
Without a regular deluge of trained network and computer support staff, business throughout the country (as elsewhere) would be likely to be brought to its knees. Consequently, there’s a huge requirement for technically able people to support both users and the systems they work with. Due to the progressively daunting complexities of technology, more and more competent professionals are needed to run the smooth operation of functions we’ve come to rely on.
Can job security honestly exist anymore? Here in the UK, with businesses changing their mind on a day-to-day basis, it seems increasingly unlikely. Where there are escalating skills shortages mixed with areas of high demand of course, we almost always find a new kind of market-security; driven by a continual growth, employers struggle to find the number of people required.
Investigating the computing business, a recent e-Skills analysis brought to light an over 26 percent shortage in trained professionals. Basically, we can’t properly place more than 3 out of each 4 job positions in the computer industry. Well taught and commercially educated new employees are therefore at a total premium, and it’s estimated to remain so for much longer. Because the IT sector is increasing at such a rate, could there honestly be a better area of industry worth taking into account for your new career.
So, which questions do we need to be raising so as to arrive at the understanding required? Because it looks like there are a good many pretty phenomenal opportunities for us all to investigate.
We can see a plethora of professional positions up for grabs in Information Technology. Finding the particular one for you is a mammoth decision. As without any commercial skills in Information Technology, how should we possibly know what any job actually involves? Achieving any kind of right conclusion will only come via a careful investigation across many shifting key points:
* Our personalities play an important role – what things get your juices flowing, and what are the things that get you down.
* Are you hoping to re-train because of a precise reason – i.e. are you pushing to work at home (maybe self-employment?)?
* What priority do you place on travelling time and locality vs salary?
* Learning what typical work areas and sectors are – and what differentiates them.
* How much time you’ll have available to commit the training program.
To bypass the barrage of jargon, and reveal what’ll really work for you, have an in-depth discussion with an industry expert and advisor; an individual that understands the commercial reality whilst covering all the qualifications.
The classroom style of learning we remember from school, with books and manuals, is usually pretty hard going. If you’re nodding as you read this, dig around for more practical courses which have a majority of interactive, multimedia parts. Long-term memory is enhanced with an involvement of all our senses – experts have been clear on this for years now.
Interactive audio-visual materials involving demonstration and virtual lab’s will beat books every time. And you’ll find them fun and interesting. It would be silly not to view a small selection of training examples before you make your decision. You should expect instructor demonstrations, video tutorials and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections.
You should avoid purely online training. Ideally, you should opt for CD and DVD ROM courseware where obtainable, so you can use them wherever and whenever you want – you don’t want to be reliant on your internet connection always being ‘up’ and available.
The area most overlooked by people weighing up a particular programme is the issue of ‘training segmentation’. Basically, this means the method used to break up the program for delivery to you, which vastly changes what you end up with. You may think it logical (with training often lasting 2 or 3 years to pass all the required exams,) for your typical trainer to courier the courseware in stages, as you complete each part. Although: What would happen if you didn’t finish every module at the speed they required? Sometimes their preference of study order doesn’t work as well as another different route may.
For future safety and flexibility, it’s normal for most trainees to make sure that every element of their training is sent immediately, and not in a piecemeal fashion. It’s then up to you in what order and how fast or slow you want to work.
We can’t make a big enough deal out of this point: Always get full 24×7 support from professional instructors. You’ll severely regret it if you don’t heed this. Look for training where you can access help at any time of the day or night (even if it’s early hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get direct-access to qualified mentors and tutors, and not simply some messaging service that means you’re constantly waiting for a call-back at a convenient time for them.
The best training colleges tend to use a web-based 24×7 facility utilising a variety of support centres throughout multiple time-zones. You will be provided with an environment which accesses the most appropriate office irrespective of the time of day: Support when you need it. Don’t compromise when you’re looking for the right support service. The vast majority of trainees that fall by the wayside, just need the right support system.
A sneaky way that colleges make a big mark-up is via an ‘exam inclusive’ package and then including an ‘Exam Guarantee’. It looks like a good deal, until you think it through:
Of course it isn’t free – you’re still footing the bill for it – it’s just been included in your package price. The honest truth is that if a student pays for their relevant examinations, at the time of taking them, they’ll be in a better position to pass first time – as they are conscious of their payment and therefore will put more effort into their preparation.
Don’t you think it’s more sensible to go for the best offer when you’re ready, not to pay the fees marked up by a training college, and to take it closer to home – rather than possibly hours away from your area? Big margins are netted by a significant number of organisations who get money upfront for exam fees. A number of students don’t take them for various reasons and so they pocket the rest. Surprising as it sounds, there are companies around who rely on that fact – as that’s where a lot of their profit comes from. Pay heed to the fact that, with most ‘Exam Guarantees’ – the company controls how often and when you can do your re-takes. Subsequent exam attempts are only authorised at the company’s say so.
On average, exams cost approximately 112 pounds in the last 12 months through VUE or Pro-metric centres in the UK. So don’t be talked into shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds more to have ‘an Exam Guarantee’, when any student knows that the most successful method is study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams.
Be alert that all exams that you’re considering will be recognised by employers and are bang up to date. ‘In-house’ exams and the certificates they come with are often meaningless. The main industry leaders such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA each have nationally renowned skills programmes. These heavyweights can make sure you stand out at interview.
