Saturday, May 23, 2009

Cisco Training Online Across The UK (060509)

By Jason Kendall

If you're looking for training in Cisco, a CCNA is in all probability what you'll need. The Cisco training is the way to go for those who wish to understand and work with network switches and routers. Routers hook up computer networks to other computer networks via the internet or dedicated lines.

You may end up employed by an internet service provider or possibly a large or international company that is geographically spaced out but still needs contact. Both types of jobs command good salaries.

You'll need a tailored course that will take you through a specific training path to ensure you have the correct skill set and abilities prior to commencing your Cisco training.

Understanding the most appropriate job choice is fraught with stress - so which sectors are important to investigate and which questions should we pose?

You should remember: a actual training or a certification isn't the end-goal; the job or career that you're getting the training for is. Many trainers unfortunately put too much weight in the piece of paper. Imagine training for just one year and then end up doing the job for 20 years. Don't make the mistake of taking what may be an 'interesting' training program and then spend decades in a job you don't like!

You need to keep your eye on where you want to get to, and formulate your training based on that - don't do it the other way round. Stay on target - making sure you're training for an end-result that'll reward you for many long and fruitful years. Prior to embarking on a particular study programme, it makes sense to talk through individual career requirements with an industry professional, to make sure the retraining programme covers everything needed.

It's so important to understand this key point: You absolutely must have proper 24x7 instructor and mentor support. You will have so many problems later if you don't heed this. Never accept training that only supports trainees through a call-centre messaging system after office-staff have gone home. Colleges will try to talk you round from this line of reasoning. The simple fact of the matter is - you need support when you need support - not as-and-when it's suitable for their staff.

The best trainers use multiple support centres active in different time-zones. An online system provides an interactive interface to provide a seamless experience, no matter what time you login, there is always help at hand, without any contact issues or hassle. Never settle for a lower level of service. 24x7 support is the only viable option with IT training. It's possible you don't intend to study late evenings; usually though, we're at work while the support is live.

Many trainers provide mainly work-books and reference manuals. It's not a very interesting way to learn and isn't the best way to go about achieving retention. Research into the way we learn shows that memory is aided when we use all our senses, and we get practically involved in what we're studying.

Learning is now available via DVD-ROM discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Using video-streaming, you will be able to see the instructor presenting exactly how something is done, and then practice yourself - with interactive lab sessions. Be sure to get a look at some courseware examples from your training provider. You should ask for slide-shows, instructor-led videos and virtual practice lab's for your new skills.

Pick CD and DVD ROM based physical training media if possible. You're then protected from broadband 'downtime' or slow-speeds.

A major candidate for the biggest single let-down in the IT training sector is usually having to turn up to 'In Centre' days or workshops. Many training academies extol the virtues of the positive points of taking part in these events, it's almost certain though that you'll find them a thorn in your side due to many reasons:

* Frequent back and forth visits - usually 100's of miles or more.

* If, like many of us, you work, then Mon-Fri events are hard to attend. Typically you are contending with several days in a row too.

* Holiday days lost - many workers are given only twenty days of leave annually. If you use up half of that with study classes, vacation time is going to be quite short for most student's families.

* Training workshops can 'sell out' fast and can sometimes be too big - so they're not personal enough.

* There is often tension in the classroom where most students want to move at a pace comfortable for them.

* Tot up the cost of all the travel, fares, parking, accommodation and food and you could be in for a major shock. Trainees have reported extra costs of between several hundred and a couple of thousand pounds. Break it down - then you'll know.

* Most trainees want study privacy and therefore avoiding all come-back from their current employer.

* It's very common for people not to put a question forward that they would like answered - just because they're in front of other people.

* If your work takes you away from home, you have the added problem that events now become difficult to get to - but unfortunately, the fees were paid along with everything else at the start.

The perfect situation is watching a pre-filmed workshop - with instructor-led learning available any time of the day that suits. Do them at home on your PC or why not in the garden on a laptop. Any questions; then use the provided 24x7 live support (that you should have insisted on for any technical study.) Repeat lessons and modules whenever you like - repetition aids memory. And you don't have to worry about any note-taking - everything is already done for you already. The final result: Less hassle and stress, more money in the bank, and you've got no travelling to do.

Wouldn't it be great to know for sure that our jobs will always be safe and our work prospects are protected, however, the truth for most sectors in the United Kingdom currently appears to be that the marketplace is far from secure. Of course, a sector experiencing fast growth, with huge staffing demands (as there is a massive shortfall of properly qualified workers), creates the conditions for proper job security.

The Information Technology (IT) skills-gap in Great Britain clocks in at approximately 26 percent, according to the latest e-Skills survey. That means for every four jobs that are available in the computer industry, there are only 3 trained people to perform that task. Achieving proper commercial computer qualification is therefore a fast-track to realise a long-lasting as well as enjoyable livelihood. Undoubtedly, it really is a critical time to join the IT industry.

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