PC and network support workers are more and more in demand in Great Britain, as institutions have come to depend upon their knowledge and skills. The nation’s requirement for increasing numbers of commercially qualified individuals multiplies, as we turn out to be vastly more reliant on computers in today’s environment.
How can job security honestly exist anywhere now? Here in the UK, where industry can change its mind on a day-to-day basis, we’d question whether it does.
However, a sector experiencing fast growth, with a constant demand for staff (because of an enormous shortage of properly qualified workers), creates the conditions for real job security.
The computer industry skills shortage around the UK currently stands at around twenty six percent, according to a recent e-Skills analysis. Alternatively, you could say, this clearly demonstrates that the UK is only able to source three properly accredited workers for each 4 positions existing now.
This one reality in itself shows why the United Kingdom requires so many more trainees to join the Information Technology market.
No better time or market settings could exist for getting trained into this hugely expanding and developing sector.
People attracted to this sort of work often have a very practical outlook on work, and don’t always take well to classrooms, and struggling through thick study-volumes. If you identify with this, opt for more involving, interactive learning materials, where learning is video-based.
If we’re able to utilise all of our senses into our learning, then we often see hugely increased memory retention as a result.
Programs are now found on CD and DVD discs, so everything is learned directly from your own PC. Using video-streaming, you can watch instructors demonstrating how something is done, and then practice yourself – in a virtual lab environment.
Don’t take any chances and look at some examples of the kind of training materials you’ll be using before you purchase a course. You should expect instructor-led video demonstrations and interactive modules with audio-visual elements.
Seek out CD and DVD ROM based physical training media wherever available. You’re then protected from broadband outages, failure and signal quality issues etc.
If an advisor doesn’t ask many questions – the likelihood is they’re just a salesperson. If they’re pushing towards a particular product before learning about your history and current experience level, then you know it’s true.
With a bit of work-based experience or qualifications, you may find that your starting point is not the same as someone new to the industry.
If this is going to be your initial crack at IT study then you might also want to start with some basic PC skills training first.
Adding in the cost of examination fees upfront then giving it ‘Exam Guarantee’ status is popular with many companies. However, let’s consider what’s really going on:
Everybody’s aware that they’re still footing the bill for it – it’s quite obvious to see that it’s already been included in the overall price charged by the college. Certainly, it’s not a freebie – and it’s insulting that we’re supposed to think it is!
If you want to pass in one, you must avoid exam guarantees and pay when entering exams, focus on it intently and apply yourself as required.
Go for the best offer you can find at the time, and hang on to your cash. You’ll also be able to choose where to do the examinations – so you can choose somewhere closer to home.
Many current training providers make a great deal of profit through getting paid for exam fees early and hoping that you won’t take them all.
It’s worth noting, in the majority of cases of ‘exam guarantees’ – you are not in control of when you can re-take the exam. They’ll only allow a re-take once completely satisfied.
Average exam fees were approximately 112 pounds last year via UK VUE or Prometric centres. So what’s the point of paying maybe a thousand pounds extra to get ‘Exam Guarantees’, when any student knows that the responsible approach is study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams.
(C) 2010 – S. Edwards. Try MCSE 2008 or www.CiscoCCNA4IT.co.uk.
