CompTIA A Plus Training Around The UK Considered
Training for your CompTIA A+ has four specialist sections – you’ll have to qualify in just two sectors to be competent in A+. This is why, most colleges restrict their A+ to just two of the 4 sectors. We think this is too much of a compromise – certainly you’ll have the qualification, but training on all 4 will give you greater confidence in your working life, where gaps in your knowledge will expose weaknesses. That’s the reason why you deserve training in everything.
Passing the A+ exam on its own will mean that you’re able to repair and fix computers and Macs; ones that are most often not part of a network – essentially the domestic or small business sector.
If you’re considering being someone who works for a larger company – in network support, build on A+ with Network+, or follow the Microsoft route – MCP’s, MCSA or MCSE in order to have a wider knowledge of how networks work.
A study programme should always lead to a nationally (or globally) recognised qualification at the finale – not a useless ‘in-house’ printed certificate to hang in your hallway.
The main industry leaders such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA each have internationally acknowledged skills programmes. These big-hitters will give some sparkle to your CV.
If your advisor doesn’t dig around with lots of question – chances are they’re just a salesperson. If they push a particular product before understanding your background and experience, then you know it’s true.
Where you have a strong background, or maybe some live experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it could be that your starting level will be very different from a student that is completely new to the industry.
If this is going to be your first effort at studying for an IT examination then you may want to begin with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first.
Starting from the viewpoint that it makes sense to find the job we want to do first and foremost, before we can consider which training program meets that requirement, how do we know the correct route?
Perusing lists of IT career possibilities is no use whatsoever. Surely, most of us have no concept what our own family members do for a living – let alone understand the ins and outs of a particular IT career.
Generally, the way to deal with this quandary properly lies in a deep talk over some important points:
* What hobbies you’re involved with in your spare-time – these can define what areas you’ll get the most enjoyment out of.
* What sort of time-frame do you want for the training process?
* Where do you stand on travelling time and locality vs salary?
* Many students don’t properly consider the time required to gain all the necessary accreditation.
* It makes sense to take in what is different for all the training areas.
The bottom line is, the best way of understanding everything necessary is by means of a meeting with someone that knows the industry well enough to give you the information required.
Including exams upfront and offering an ‘Exam Guarantee’ is common for a good many training companies. Consider the facts:
You’re paying for it by some means. One thing’s for sure – it isn’t free – they’ve just worked it into the package price.
We all want to pass first time. Entering examinations in order and paying as you go puts you in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt – you revise thoroughly and are mindful of the investment you’ve made.
Why should you pay your training course provider at the start of the course for exam fees? Find the best deal you can at the time, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance – and do it in a local testing centre – rather than possibly hours away from your area.
Buying a course that includes payments for examination fees (plus interest – if you’re financing your study) is bad financial management. Why fill a company’s coffers with your money just to give them a good cash-flow! Some will be pinning their hopes on the fact that you will never make it to exams – then they’ll keep the extra money.
You should fully understand that re-takes through organisations who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee’ inevitably are heavily regulated. They will insist that you take pre-tests first so you can prove to them you have a good chance of passing.
Spending hundreds or even thousands extra on an ‘Exam Guarantee’ is remiss – when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really guarantee success.
(C) S. Edwards 2009. Navigate to CLICK HERE or IT Certification.
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