Computer Career Training - Making The Right Choice 2009
Good for you! As you're reading this article it's likely you're thinking about getting re-qualified for a new job - that means you've already taken one more step than the majority. Very few of us are pleased to go to work each day, but most just moan and do nothing about it. You could join a select group who make a difference in their lives.
Prior to considering individual courses, look for an advisor who will be able to guide you on what to look for. A person who will ask questions about your likes and dislikes, and find out the best career for you to work towards:
* Do you like to work collaborating with people? Is that as part of a team or with many new people? It could be working by yourself with your own methodology may be your preference?
* Banking and building are not coping well at the moment, so think carefully about the sector that would give you the most options?
* Is it important that this should be the last time re-training is necessary?
* Are you happy that the training program you've chosen can help you find employment, and will provide the facility to allow you to work until your pension kicks in?
Don't overlook the IT sector, that will be time well spent - it's one of the only market sectors still on the grow in this country and overseas. Another benefit is that remuneration packages are much better than most.
There is a tidal wave of change about to hit technology over the next few decades - and this means greater innovations all the time. We've only just begun to scrape the surface of how technology will affect our lives in the future. The internet will significantly revolutionise how we view and interrelate with the entire world over the coming years.
The typical IT man or woman across the UK can demonstrate that they earn considerably more money than equivalent professionals in another industry. Mean average remuneration packages are around the top of national league tables. It's no secret that there is a great nationwide demand for trained and qualified IT technicians. In addition, as growth in the industry shows little sign of contracting, it is likely this pattern will continue for the significant future.
What questions do we need to be posing if we'd like to get the understanding we need? Since it seems there are many pretty tremendous prospects for us all to look at.
A expert and practiced consultant (in contrast with a salesperson) will talk through your current experience level and abilities. This is paramount to working out the point at which you need to start your studies. With a little real-world experience or base qualifications, it may be that your starting point of study is different from a beginner. Always consider starting with a user-skills course first. Beginning there can make the transition to higher-level learning a a little easier.
Full support is of the utmost importance - ensure you track down something that includes 24x7 access, as anything less will frustrate you and could hamper your progress. Be wary of any training providers who use 'out-of-hours' messaging systems - with your call-back scheduled for office hours. This is no use if you're stuck and need help now.
Be on the lookout for colleges that use several support centres from around the world. These should be integrated to provide a single interface and also access round-the-clock, when you need it, without any problems. Don't ever make the mistake of taking second best when it comes to your support. The vast majority of IT hopefuls that fall by the wayside, are in that situation because they didn't get the support necessary for them.
The age-old way of teaching, with books and manuals, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If this describes you, look for learning programmes which feature interactive and multimedia modules. Learning psychology studies show that we remember much more when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get physically involved with the study process.
Start a study-program in which you're provided with an array of DVD-ROM's - you'll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, with the facility to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions. It makes sense to see some of the typical study materials provided before you purchase a course. The minimum you should expect would be instructor demonstrations, video tutorials and audio-visual elements backed up by interactive lab's.
It's unwise to go for purely on-line training. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, you should always obtain CD or DVD ROM based materials.
An important area that is sometimes not even considered by new students mulling over a new direction is that of 'training segmentation'. This is essentially the breakdown of the materials to be delivered to you, which vastly changes how you end up. Training companies will normally offer some sort of program spread over 1-3 years, and send out each piece as you complete each section or exam. On the surface this seems reasonable - until you consider the following: What if there are reasons why you can't finish each and every exam? Maybe the prescribed order won't suit you? Without any fault on your part, you might take a little longer and therefore not end up with all the modules.
The ideal solution is to have every piece of your study pack posted to your address right at the beginning; every single thing! This way, nothing can happen down the line which could affect your capability of finishing.
'Exam Guarantees' are often bundled with training offers - this always means you have to pay for the exams at the very beginning of your studies. However, prior to embracing a course with such a promise, why not look at the following:
Patently it's not free - you're still paying for it - the cost has just been rolled into the whole training package. Those who take each progressive exam, funding them as they go are much better placed to get through first time. They are mindful of their investment and revise more thoroughly to be ready for the task.
Why pay the training college up-front for exams? Find the best exam deal or offer when you take the exam, don't pay mark-ups - and sit exams more locally - not at somewhere of their bidding. Is there a good reason to pay interest on a bigger loan than is necessary because you've paid early for examination fees when there's absolutely nothing that says you have to? A great deal of money is secured by training companies charging upfront for all their exams - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. Re-takes of previously unsuccessful exams through training course providers who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are always heavily controlled. They will insist that you take pre-tests first so you can prove to them you have a good chance of passing.
Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on 'Exam Guarantees' is remiss - when hard work, commitment and the right preparation via exam simulations is actually the key to your success.
One feature that several companies offer is a Job Placement Assistance program. This is designed to help you find your first job in the industry. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it's quite easy for companies marketing departments to make too much of it. In reality, the massive skills shortage in Great Britain is what will make you attractive to employers.
Ideally you should have help with your CV and interview techniques though; additionally, we would recommend everyone to work on polishing up their CV the day they start training - don't put it off until you've qualified. It's not unusual to find that you'll secure your first position while still studying (even in the early stages). If your CV doesn't say what you're learning (and it hasn't been posted on jobsites) then you don't stand a chance! If it's important to you to find work near your home, then you'll often find that a specialist locally based employment agency may be of more use than a centralised service, due to the fact that they are much more inclined to know local employment needs.
Not inconsiderable numbers of men and women, so it seems, are prepared to study their hearts out (sometimes for years), and just give up when it comes to finding a job. Market yourself... Do everything you can to let employers know about you. Don't think a job's just going to jump out in front of you.
Prior to considering individual courses, look for an advisor who will be able to guide you on what to look for. A person who will ask questions about your likes and dislikes, and find out the best career for you to work towards:
* Do you like to work collaborating with people? Is that as part of a team or with many new people? It could be working by yourself with your own methodology may be your preference?
* Banking and building are not coping well at the moment, so think carefully about the sector that would give you the most options?
* Is it important that this should be the last time re-training is necessary?
* Are you happy that the training program you've chosen can help you find employment, and will provide the facility to allow you to work until your pension kicks in?
Don't overlook the IT sector, that will be time well spent - it's one of the only market sectors still on the grow in this country and overseas. Another benefit is that remuneration packages are much better than most.
There is a tidal wave of change about to hit technology over the next few decades - and this means greater innovations all the time. We've only just begun to scrape the surface of how technology will affect our lives in the future. The internet will significantly revolutionise how we view and interrelate with the entire world over the coming years.
The typical IT man or woman across the UK can demonstrate that they earn considerably more money than equivalent professionals in another industry. Mean average remuneration packages are around the top of national league tables. It's no secret that there is a great nationwide demand for trained and qualified IT technicians. In addition, as growth in the industry shows little sign of contracting, it is likely this pattern will continue for the significant future.
What questions do we need to be posing if we'd like to get the understanding we need? Since it seems there are many pretty tremendous prospects for us all to look at.
A expert and practiced consultant (in contrast with a salesperson) will talk through your current experience level and abilities. This is paramount to working out the point at which you need to start your studies. With a little real-world experience or base qualifications, it may be that your starting point of study is different from a beginner. Always consider starting with a user-skills course first. Beginning there can make the transition to higher-level learning a a little easier.
Full support is of the utmost importance - ensure you track down something that includes 24x7 access, as anything less will frustrate you and could hamper your progress. Be wary of any training providers who use 'out-of-hours' messaging systems - with your call-back scheduled for office hours. This is no use if you're stuck and need help now.
Be on the lookout for colleges that use several support centres from around the world. These should be integrated to provide a single interface and also access round-the-clock, when you need it, without any problems. Don't ever make the mistake of taking second best when it comes to your support. The vast majority of IT hopefuls that fall by the wayside, are in that situation because they didn't get the support necessary for them.
The age-old way of teaching, with books and manuals, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If this describes you, look for learning programmes which feature interactive and multimedia modules. Learning psychology studies show that we remember much more when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get physically involved with the study process.
Start a study-program in which you're provided with an array of DVD-ROM's - you'll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, with the facility to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions. It makes sense to see some of the typical study materials provided before you purchase a course. The minimum you should expect would be instructor demonstrations, video tutorials and audio-visual elements backed up by interactive lab's.
It's unwise to go for purely on-line training. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, you should always obtain CD or DVD ROM based materials.
An important area that is sometimes not even considered by new students mulling over a new direction is that of 'training segmentation'. This is essentially the breakdown of the materials to be delivered to you, which vastly changes how you end up. Training companies will normally offer some sort of program spread over 1-3 years, and send out each piece as you complete each section or exam. On the surface this seems reasonable - until you consider the following: What if there are reasons why you can't finish each and every exam? Maybe the prescribed order won't suit you? Without any fault on your part, you might take a little longer and therefore not end up with all the modules.
The ideal solution is to have every piece of your study pack posted to your address right at the beginning; every single thing! This way, nothing can happen down the line which could affect your capability of finishing.
'Exam Guarantees' are often bundled with training offers - this always means you have to pay for the exams at the very beginning of your studies. However, prior to embracing a course with such a promise, why not look at the following:
Patently it's not free - you're still paying for it - the cost has just been rolled into the whole training package. Those who take each progressive exam, funding them as they go are much better placed to get through first time. They are mindful of their investment and revise more thoroughly to be ready for the task.
Why pay the training college up-front for exams? Find the best exam deal or offer when you take the exam, don't pay mark-ups - and sit exams more locally - not at somewhere of their bidding. Is there a good reason to pay interest on a bigger loan than is necessary because you've paid early for examination fees when there's absolutely nothing that says you have to? A great deal of money is secured by training companies charging upfront for all their exams - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. Re-takes of previously unsuccessful exams through training course providers who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are always heavily controlled. They will insist that you take pre-tests first so you can prove to them you have a good chance of passing.
Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on 'Exam Guarantees' is remiss - when hard work, commitment and the right preparation via exam simulations is actually the key to your success.
One feature that several companies offer is a Job Placement Assistance program. This is designed to help you find your first job in the industry. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it's quite easy for companies marketing departments to make too much of it. In reality, the massive skills shortage in Great Britain is what will make you attractive to employers.
Ideally you should have help with your CV and interview techniques though; additionally, we would recommend everyone to work on polishing up their CV the day they start training - don't put it off until you've qualified. It's not unusual to find that you'll secure your first position while still studying (even in the early stages). If your CV doesn't say what you're learning (and it hasn't been posted on jobsites) then you don't stand a chance! If it's important to you to find work near your home, then you'll often find that a specialist locally based employment agency may be of more use than a centralised service, due to the fact that they are much more inclined to know local employment needs.
Not inconsiderable numbers of men and women, so it seems, are prepared to study their hearts out (sometimes for years), and just give up when it comes to finding a job. Market yourself... Do everything you can to let employers know about you. Don't think a job's just going to jump out in front of you.
About the Author:
The author: Jason Kendall has worked in IT for 20 yrs. He now advises on commercial certification. For advice on Computer Training, visit LearningLolly IT Courses.
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