In the fast-paced world we live in, support workers who are qualified to fix computers and networks, and give regular solutions to users, are hugely valuable in every part of the business environment. Our hunger for such skilled and qualified members of the workforce is ever increasing, as commercial enterprise becomes progressively more computer dependent.
Does job security really exist anymore? Here in the UK, with businesses changing their mind at alarming speeds, it seems increasingly unlikely. Security only exists now via a rapidly increasing market, driven forward by a shortage of trained workers. It's this shortage that creates the appropriate setting for a secure market - a far better situation.
Recently, a British e-Skills study highlighted that more than 26 percent of IT jobs remain unfilled as an upshot of a chronic shortage of trained staff. Meaning that for each 4 job positions existing in Information Technology (IT), we've only got three properly trained pro's to fulfil that role. This alarming reality underpins the requirement for more properly accredited computer professionals in the United Kingdom. Undoubtedly, now, more than ever, really is such a perfect time to consider retraining into the computing industry.
So, what questions should we be asking if we're to take in the understanding we want? As it looks like there are some pretty superb prospects for everyone to mull over.
A fatal Faux-Pas that students everywhere can make is to choose a career based on a course, rather than starting with the end result they want to achieve. Colleges are stacked to the hilt with direction-less students that chose an 'interesting' course - rather than what would get them the job they want. You may train for one year and then end up doing a job for a lifetime. Don't make the mistake of taking what may be an 'interesting' course and then spend decades in a job you hate!
It's a good idea to understand what expectations industry may have of you. Which precise exams you'll need and in what way you can gain some industry experience. Spend some time considering how far you'd like to progress your career as it will often force you to choose a particular set of exams. It's worth seeking help from someone that knows the commercial realities of the sector you've chosen, and is able to give you 'A day in the life of' outline of the job being considered. This is incredibly important because you need to know if this change is right for you.
Training support for students is an absolute must - ensure you track down something that includes 24x7 access, as not obtaining this level of support will severely impede your ability to learn. Avoid those companies who use messaging services 'out-of-hours' - with your call-back scheduled for standard office hours. This is useless when you're stuck and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
The most successful trainers have many support offices from around the world. An online system provides an interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, help is at hand, with no hassle or contact issues. Never settle for a lower level of service. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only way to go when it comes to computer-based training. Perhaps you don't intend to study during the evenings; usually though, we're at work while the support is live.
Traditional teaching in classrooms, using textbooks and whiteboards, is usually pretty hard going. If this sounds like you, find training programs that are multimedia based. Where possible, if we can involve all our senses in the learning process, then the results are usually dramatically better.
Programs are now found in the form of CD and DVD ROM's, so everything is learned directly from your own PC. Through video streaming, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how it's all done, and then practice yourself - in a virtual lab environment. It's very important to see the type of training provided by any company that you may want to train through. You'll want to see that they include full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab's to practice the skills in.
Some companies only have access to just online versions of their training packages; and although this is okay the majority of the time, imagine the problems if you lose your internet access or you get slow speeds and down-time etc. It's preferable to have CD and DVD ROM materials which will solve that problem.
Many men and women assume that the state educational path is still the most effective. Why then are commercial certificates beginning to overtake it? Accreditation-based training (to use industry-speak) is far more specialised and product-specific. Industry has become aware that this level of specialised understanding is essential to meet the requirements of a technologically complex commercial environment. Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe are the dominant players. Essentially, only that which is required is learned. It's not quite as straightforward as that, but the most important function is always to master the precisely demanded skill-sets (alongside some required background) - without going into too much detail in everything else (as universities often do).
Imagine if you were an employer - and you required somebody who had very specific skills. What's the simplest way to find the right person: Trawl through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from various applicants, asking for course details and which vocational skills they've acquired, or choose particular accreditations that perfectly fit your needs, and then choose your interviewees based around that. You'll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than on the depth of their technical knowledge.
A key training package will undoubtedly also offer Microsoft (or key company) simulation materials and exam preparation packages. Don't go for training programs depending on unauthorised exam papers and questions. The type of questions asked can be completely unlike authorised versions - and sometimes this can be a real headache when it comes to taking the real exam. Clearly, it is vital to make sure you're absolutely ready for your actual certification exam before embarking on it. Rehearsing simulated tests logs the information in your brain and will avoid you getting frustrated with thwarted exam entries.
Many training companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to help you get your first job. The honest truth is that it's not as hard as some people make out to secure a job - once you're trained and certified; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.
Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't wait for when you're ready to start work. Being considered a 'maybe' is more than not being regarded at all. A decent number of junior support roles are got by students (sometimes when they've only just got going.) If it's important to you to find work near your home, then it's quite likely that a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service could work much better for you than a national service, for they're going to have insider knowledge of what's available near you.
A common grievance for a number of training course providers is how much students are focused on studying to get top marks in their exams, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the position they're studied for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.
Does job security really exist anymore? Here in the UK, with businesses changing their mind at alarming speeds, it seems increasingly unlikely. Security only exists now via a rapidly increasing market, driven forward by a shortage of trained workers. It's this shortage that creates the appropriate setting for a secure market - a far better situation.
Recently, a British e-Skills study highlighted that more than 26 percent of IT jobs remain unfilled as an upshot of a chronic shortage of trained staff. Meaning that for each 4 job positions existing in Information Technology (IT), we've only got three properly trained pro's to fulfil that role. This alarming reality underpins the requirement for more properly accredited computer professionals in the United Kingdom. Undoubtedly, now, more than ever, really is such a perfect time to consider retraining into the computing industry.
So, what questions should we be asking if we're to take in the understanding we want? As it looks like there are some pretty superb prospects for everyone to mull over.
A fatal Faux-Pas that students everywhere can make is to choose a career based on a course, rather than starting with the end result they want to achieve. Colleges are stacked to the hilt with direction-less students that chose an 'interesting' course - rather than what would get them the job they want. You may train for one year and then end up doing a job for a lifetime. Don't make the mistake of taking what may be an 'interesting' course and then spend decades in a job you hate!
It's a good idea to understand what expectations industry may have of you. Which precise exams you'll need and in what way you can gain some industry experience. Spend some time considering how far you'd like to progress your career as it will often force you to choose a particular set of exams. It's worth seeking help from someone that knows the commercial realities of the sector you've chosen, and is able to give you 'A day in the life of' outline of the job being considered. This is incredibly important because you need to know if this change is right for you.
Training support for students is an absolute must - ensure you track down something that includes 24x7 access, as not obtaining this level of support will severely impede your ability to learn. Avoid those companies who use messaging services 'out-of-hours' - with your call-back scheduled for standard office hours. This is useless when you're stuck and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
The most successful trainers have many support offices from around the world. An online system provides an interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, help is at hand, with no hassle or contact issues. Never settle for a lower level of service. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only way to go when it comes to computer-based training. Perhaps you don't intend to study during the evenings; usually though, we're at work while the support is live.
Traditional teaching in classrooms, using textbooks and whiteboards, is usually pretty hard going. If this sounds like you, find training programs that are multimedia based. Where possible, if we can involve all our senses in the learning process, then the results are usually dramatically better.
Programs are now found in the form of CD and DVD ROM's, so everything is learned directly from your own PC. Through video streaming, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how it's all done, and then practice yourself - in a virtual lab environment. It's very important to see the type of training provided by any company that you may want to train through. You'll want to see that they include full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab's to practice the skills in.
Some companies only have access to just online versions of their training packages; and although this is okay the majority of the time, imagine the problems if you lose your internet access or you get slow speeds and down-time etc. It's preferable to have CD and DVD ROM materials which will solve that problem.
Many men and women assume that the state educational path is still the most effective. Why then are commercial certificates beginning to overtake it? Accreditation-based training (to use industry-speak) is far more specialised and product-specific. Industry has become aware that this level of specialised understanding is essential to meet the requirements of a technologically complex commercial environment. Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe are the dominant players. Essentially, only that which is required is learned. It's not quite as straightforward as that, but the most important function is always to master the precisely demanded skill-sets (alongside some required background) - without going into too much detail in everything else (as universities often do).
Imagine if you were an employer - and you required somebody who had very specific skills. What's the simplest way to find the right person: Trawl through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from various applicants, asking for course details and which vocational skills they've acquired, or choose particular accreditations that perfectly fit your needs, and then choose your interviewees based around that. You'll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than on the depth of their technical knowledge.
A key training package will undoubtedly also offer Microsoft (or key company) simulation materials and exam preparation packages. Don't go for training programs depending on unauthorised exam papers and questions. The type of questions asked can be completely unlike authorised versions - and sometimes this can be a real headache when it comes to taking the real exam. Clearly, it is vital to make sure you're absolutely ready for your actual certification exam before embarking on it. Rehearsing simulated tests logs the information in your brain and will avoid you getting frustrated with thwarted exam entries.
Many training companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to help you get your first job. The honest truth is that it's not as hard as some people make out to secure a job - once you're trained and certified; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.
Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't wait for when you're ready to start work. Being considered a 'maybe' is more than not being regarded at all. A decent number of junior support roles are got by students (sometimes when they've only just got going.) If it's important to you to find work near your home, then it's quite likely that a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service could work much better for you than a national service, for they're going to have insider knowledge of what's available near you.
A common grievance for a number of training course providers is how much students are focused on studying to get top marks in their exams, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the position they're studied for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.
About the Author:
Jason Kendall has been in the IT industry for 20 yrs. He should understand what he's doing by now. To find out more on IT Training, visit LearningLolly Computer Training.
1 comment:
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