by Jason Kendall
Many different computer courses are in existence for individuals looking to get into working with computers. To find a good match for you, seek out a training provider with assistance to help you find which job will suit your personality, and then run through the job responsibilities, so you can be sure you’ve found the right one. There’s lots to choose from with these training programs - from basic office skills up to training for programmers, web designers, networkers etc. Take advice prior to committing yourself - speak to someone with knowledge of the market sector. Somebody who you trust to choose the right direction for you - one that’s both commercially relevant and will give you a stimulating career.
By concentrating on service and delivery, there are now companies offering the latest courses with excellent training and guidance for a fraction of the prices asked for by more out-dated organisations.
We’re often asked why qualifications from colleges and universities are being replaced by more commercial certifications? Vendor-based training (as it’s known in the industry) is most often much more specialised. The IT sector has become aware that this level of specialised understanding is vital to meet the requirements of an increasingly more technical marketplace. Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe dominate in this arena. Academic courses, as a example, often get bogged down in a lot of background study - with a syllabus that’s far too wide. This holds a student back from understanding the specific essentials in enough depth.
If an employer knows what areas need to be serviced, then they just need to look for the particular skill-set required. The syllabuses are set to meet an exact requirement and do not vary between trainers (in the way that degree courses can).
It only makes sense to consider training programs which will grow into commercially acknowledged exams. There’s an endless list of trainers proposing their own ‘in-house’ certificates that are essentially useless when you start your job-search. Unless the accreditation comes from a conglomerate such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA, then chances are it won’t be commercially viable - because it won’t give an employer any directly-useable skills.
One of the most important things to insist on has to be 24×7 round-the-clock support with trained professional instructors and mentors. Too many companies will only offer a basic 9am till 6pm support period (maybe later on certain days) with very little availability over the weekend. Never accept training courses that only support students with a call-centre messaging service after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Companies 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.
It’s possible to find professional companies that recommend and use online support at all times - no matter what time of day it is. Don’t under any circumstances take less than you need and deserve. Support round-the-clock is the only kind that ever makes the grade with computer-based courses. Perhaps you don’t intend to study during the evenings; but for the majority of us however, we’re at work during the provided support period.
It’s not uncommon for companies to offer inclusive exam guarantees - they always involve paying for the exam fees up-front, before you’ve even made a start on the course. However, prior to embracing the chance of a guarantee, be aware of the facts:
We all know that we’re still footing the bill for it - obviously it has already in the gross price invoiced by the college. It’s definitely not free (although some people will believe anything the marketing companies think up these days!) It’s everybody’s ambition to qualify on the first attempt. Entering examinations when it’s appropriate and paying as you go has a marked effect on pass-rates - you revise thoroughly and are aware of the costs involved.
Why pay the training course provider in advance for exam fees? Hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the time, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance - and take it closer to home - instead of miles away at the college’s beck and call. Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on exams when you don’t need to? Huge profits are made by companies charging all their exam fees up-front - and hoping either that you won’t take them, or it will be a long time before you do. Pay heed to the fact that, with ‘Exam Guarantees’ from most places - the company decides when you can do your re-takes. You will have to demonstrate an excellent pass-rate before they’ll approve a re-take.
Due to typical VUE and Prometric tests coming in at approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain, by far the best option is to pay for them as you take them. There’s no sense in throwing away maybe a thousand pounds extra at the start of your studies. Commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.
You should look for an authorised exam preparation system as part of your course package. Make sure that the mock exams haven’t just got questions in the right areas, but are also posing them in the exact format that the real exams will ask them. This can really throw some students if the phraseology and format is completely different. Be sure to have some simulated exam questions that will allow you to verify your knowledge whenever you need to. Practice exams help to build your confidence - then you’re much more at ease with the real thing.