Networking Support Training Simplified
Network and PC support workers are increasingly in demand in the United Kingdom, as businesses are becoming more reliant upon their knowledge and capacity to solve problems. Our desire for such skilled and qualified individuals is ever increasing, as commercial enterprise becomes progressively more computer dependent.
A sneaky way that training companies make extra profits is via an ‘exam inclusive’ package and offering an exam guarantee. This sounds impressive, but is it really:
Of course it isn’t free – you’re still footing the bill for it – the cost has just been rolled into the whole training package.
Trainees who enter their exams one by one, funding them one at a time are much better placed to get through first time. They are aware of their spending and revise more thoroughly to make sure they’re ready.
Shouldn’t you be looking to not pay up-front, but at the appropriate time, not to pay any mark-up to the training company, and to do it locally – instead of the remote centre that’s convenient only to the trainer?
Paying upfront for exam fees (plus interest – if you’re financing your study) is bad financial management. Don’t line companies bank accounts with additional funds simply to help their cash-flow! There are those who hope that you won’t get to do them all – but they won’t refund the cash.
Most companies will require you to do mock exams and hold you back from re-takes until you’ve proven conclusively that you can pass – which makes an ‘Exam Guarantee’ frankly useless.
Exam fees averaged about 112 pounds twelve months or so ago via UK VUE or Prometric centres. So why pay hundreds or thousands of pounds extra for ‘an Exam Guarantee’, when it’s no secret that the responsible approach is consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software.
Any program that you’re going to undertake should always lead to a nationally (or globally) recognised exam as an end-goal – definitely not some ‘in-house’ plaque for your wall.
The top IT companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe all have widely approved proficiency programs. Huge conglomerates such as these will make your CV stand-out.
One thing you must always insist on is proper direct-access 24×7 support with professional mentors and instructors. Far too often we see trainers who only seem to want to help while they’re in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends.
Find a good quality service with help available at any time you choose (even if it’s early hours on Sunday morning!) You’ll need access directly to professional tutors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages – so you’re consistently being held in a queue for a call-back when it’s convenient for them.
World-class organisations utilise a web-based 24×7 facility pulling in several support offices from around the world. You get a single, easy-to-use interface that switches seamlessly to the best choice of centres no matter what time of day it is: Support on demand.
Unless you insist on online 24×7 support, you’ll regret it. You may not need it during late nights, but what about weekends, early mornings or even late evenings at some point.
Technology and IT is one of the more stimulating and innovative industries that you can get into right now. Being up close and personal with technology means you’re a part of the huge progress that will impact the whole world for generations to come.
Technology, computers and connections through the web is going to radically affect the way we live our lives over future years; overwhelmingly so.
A average IT professional throughout Britain has been shown to get considerably more than employees on a par in another industry. Average remuneration packages are amongst the highest in the country.
As the IT industry keeps developing at an unprecedented rate, one can predict that the search for professionally qualified and skilled IT workers will remain buoyant for years to come.
Getting your first commercial position can be a little easier with the help of a Job Placement Assistance program. However sometimes there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, because it is genuinely quite straightforward for any motivated and trained individual to secure a job in IT – because there’s a great need for qualified personnel.
Work on polishing up your CV right away however (advice and support for this should come from your course provider). Don’t put it off till the exams have actually been passed.
You may not have got to the stage where you’ve qualified when you will be offered your first junior support position; however this won’t be the case unless you’ve posted your CV on job sites.
The top companies to help you land that job are normally specialised and independent recruitment consultants. As they’re keen to place you to receive their commission, they have the necessary incentive to try that bit harder.
Fundamentally, if you put the same amount of effort into finding your first IT position as into studying, you won’t have any problems. Some students curiously conscientiously work through their training and studies and then just stop once they’ve got certified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.
(C) Jason Kendall. Go to LearningLolly.com for the best ideas on Network+ Training Course and Comptia Networking Course.
