Training for your CompTIA A+ covers 4 different sectors – you’ll have to qualify in just two sectors to reach the level of competent in A+. Because of this, many training establishments only offer two of the four in the syllabus. To us, this will under prepare you – of course you can gain accreditation, but knowledge of every section will set you apart in your working life, where you’ll need a more comprehensive understanding. So that’s why you need education in everything.
CompTIA A+ without additional courses will mean that you’re able to fix and maintain stand-alone PC’s and MAC’s; ones which are usually not part of a network – essentially the domestic or small business sector.
If your ambition is looking after computer networks, you’ll need to add Network+ to your A+ course. Taking this course as well will mean you can apply for more interesting jobs. You may also want to consider the Microsoft networking qualifications (MCP, MCSA and MCSE).
A skilled and professional advisor (vs a salesman) will cover in some detail your current experience level and abilities. This is paramount to calculating your starting point for training.
Occasionally, the training inception point for someone experienced in some areas will be vastly different to the student with no experience.
It’s wise to consider some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. Starting there can make the learning curve a much easier going.
Let’s admit it: There really is pretty much no individual job security anymore; there can only be market or business security – a company will let anyone go when it fits the business’ trade needs.
Now, we only experience security through a rapidly escalating marketplace, driven forward by work-skills shortages. This shortage creates the appropriate environment for a higher level of market-security – a much more desirable situation.
The most recent British e-Skills study highlighted that twenty six percent of IT jobs are unfilled because of an appallingly low number of trained staff. That means for every 4 jobs that are available across IT, we have only 3 certified professionals to do them.
Properly qualified and commercially accredited new professionals are accordingly at an absolute premium, and in all likelihood it will stay that way for a long time.
We can’t imagine if a better time or market circumstances will exist for acquiring training in this hugely expanding and budding sector.
Searching for your first position in IT can feel more straightforward with a Job Placement Assistance service. Because of the great shortage of skills in this country at the moment, there’s no need to become overly impressed with this service however. It isn’t so complicated as you might think to find a job once you’re trained and certified.
Get your CV updated straight-away though – you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don’t wait until you’ve qualified.
Being considered a ‘maybe’ is far better than not even being known about. A surprising amount of junior support roles are offered to students (sometimes when they’ve only just got going.)
If you’d like to get employment in your home town, then it’s quite likely that a local (but specialised) recruitment consultancy may serve you better than a centralised service, due to the fact that they’re going to have insider knowledge of local employment needs.
Fundamentally, as long as you focus the same level of energy into securing a job as into training, you won’t find it too challenging. A number of trainees strangely invest a great deal of time on their course materials and then call a halt once qualified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.
You have to be sure that all your certifications are current and commercially required – don’t bother with courses that lead to in-house certificates.
All the major commercial players like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco all have globally approved proficiency programs. These heavyweights will give some sparkle to your CV.
Written by Scott Edwards. Pop to ComptiaCertification-2U.co.uk or HERE.
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