Training in Computer Support
Posted by
patrick
These days, industry couldn't function properly if it weren't for support workers fixing PC's and networks, while recommending solutions to users on a day to day basis. Industry's need for better technically qualified people grows, as we become significantly more beholden to PC's in the modern world.
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.
How can we go about making a good choice then? With all these possibilities, it's important to know where to investigate - and what it is we should be digging for.
Far too many companies focus completely on the certification process, and forget why you're doing this - which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the end in mind - don't make the journey more important than where you want to get to. It's not unheard of, in many cases, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training and then find yourself trapped for decades in a career that does nothing for you, as a consequence of not performing the correct level of soul-searching at the beginning.
Spend some time thinking about how much you want to earn and the level of your ambition. Usually, this will point the way to which particular qualifications will be expected and what'll be expected of you in your new role. Have a chat with a skilled professional that knows about the sector you're looking at, and could provide an in-depth explanation of what you're going to be doing in that job. Getting all these things right before beginning a retraining programme will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.
Some training companies will only offer support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; It's rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover. Beware of institutions which use call-centres 'out-of-hours' - where an advisor will call back during standard office hours. This is no use if you're stuck and need an answer now.
Keep your eyes open for training schools that have multiple support offices around the globe in several time-zones. These should be integrated to provide a single interface together with 24x7 access, when it's convenient for you, without any problems. Never make do with a lower level of service. 24x7 support is the only kind to make the grade with technical training. It's possible you don't intend to study late evenings; but for the majority of us however, we're out at work at the time when most support is available.
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.
It's usually bad advice to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, make sure you get actual CD or DVD ROM's.
Many people question why traditional academic studies are less in demand than the more commercial qualifications? With the costs of academic degree's climbing ever higher, along with the IT sector's general opinion that accreditation-based training is often far more commercially relevant, we have seen a big surge in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA accredited training paths that supply key solutions to a student at a fraction of the cost and time involved. University courses, for example, can often get caught up in a great deal of loosely associated study - with a syllabus that's far too wide. This holds a student back from learning the core essentials in sufficient depth.
Imagine if you were an employer - and your company needed a person with some very particular skills. What is easier: Pore through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from graduate applicants, asking for course details and which workplace skills they have, or choose particular accreditations that perfectly fit your needs, and make your short-list from that. You can then focus on how someone will fit into the team at interview - instead of having to work out if they can do the job.
The best type of package of training will have fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages. Steer clear of relying on unofficial preparation materials for exams. The type of questions asked can be completely unlike authorised versions - and this leads to huge confusion when it comes to taking the real exam. Always ask for testing modules so you can verify your knowledge at any point. Practice exams will help to boost your attitude - then the real thing isn't quite as scary.
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.
Essentially, if you put as much hard work into finding a position as into training, you're not likely to experience problems. Some men and women bizarrely spend hundreds of hours on their course materials and then just stop once qualified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.
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.
How can we go about making a good choice then? With all these possibilities, it's important to know where to investigate - and what it is we should be digging for.
Far too many companies focus completely on the certification process, and forget why you're doing this - which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the end in mind - don't make the journey more important than where you want to get to. It's not unheard of, in many cases, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training and then find yourself trapped for decades in a career that does nothing for you, as a consequence of not performing the correct level of soul-searching at the beginning.
Spend some time thinking about how much you want to earn and the level of your ambition. Usually, this will point the way to which particular qualifications will be expected and what'll be expected of you in your new role. Have a chat with a skilled professional that knows about the sector you're looking at, and could provide an in-depth explanation of what you're going to be doing in that job. Getting all these things right before beginning a retraining programme will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.
Some training companies will only offer support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; It's rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover. Beware of institutions which use call-centres 'out-of-hours' - where an advisor will call back during standard office hours. This is no use if you're stuck and need an answer now.
Keep your eyes open for training schools that have multiple support offices around the globe in several time-zones. These should be integrated to provide a single interface together with 24x7 access, when it's convenient for you, without any problems. Never make do with a lower level of service. 24x7 support is the only kind to make the grade with technical training. It's possible you don't intend to study late evenings; but for the majority of us however, we're out at work at the time when most support is available.
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.
It's usually bad advice to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, make sure you get actual CD or DVD ROM's.
Many people question why traditional academic studies are less in demand than the more commercial qualifications? With the costs of academic degree's climbing ever higher, along with the IT sector's general opinion that accreditation-based training is often far more commercially relevant, we have seen a big surge in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA accredited training paths that supply key solutions to a student at a fraction of the cost and time involved. University courses, for example, can often get caught up in a great deal of loosely associated study - with a syllabus that's far too wide. This holds a student back from learning the core essentials in sufficient depth.
Imagine if you were an employer - and your company needed a person with some very particular skills. What is easier: Pore through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from graduate applicants, asking for course details and which workplace skills they have, or choose particular accreditations that perfectly fit your needs, and make your short-list from that. You can then focus on how someone will fit into the team at interview - instead of having to work out if they can do the job.
The best type of package of training will have fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages. Steer clear of relying on unofficial preparation materials for exams. The type of questions asked can be completely unlike authorised versions - and this leads to huge confusion when it comes to taking the real exam. Always ask for testing modules so you can verify your knowledge at any point. Practice exams will help to boost your attitude - then the real thing isn't quite as scary.
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.
Essentially, if you put as much hard work into finding a position as into training, you're not likely to experience problems. Some men and women bizarrely spend hundreds of hours on their course materials and then just stop once qualified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.
About the Author:
Author Jason Kendall splits his work between consulting and promoting superior education and support in the UK. If you're interested in IT Training, visit LearningLolly IT Training Courses.
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