CompTIA Retraining Schemes - Update

Jan 5
16:00

2010

Jason Kendall

Jason Kendall

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There are four A+ exams and specialised sectors, but you only have to pass two of them to qualify for your A+. As this is the case, the majority of tr...

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There are four A+ exams and specialised sectors,CompTIA Retraining Schemes - Update Articles but you only have to pass two of them to qualify for your A+. As this is the case, the majority of training providers simply offer two. But allowing you to learn about all 4 options will help you to build a far deeper level of understanding of it all, which you'll come to realise is a Godsend in professional employment.

A+ computer training courses cover diagnostics and fault finding - both through hands-on and remote access, in addition to building, fixing, repairing and having knowledge of antistatic conditions. Should you want to work towards being responsible for networks of computers, you'll need to add CompTIA Network+ to your training package. Including Network+ will prepare you to apply for more interesting jobs. Other ones that might be interesting to you are the networking qualifications from Microsoft, i.e. MCP, MCSA MCSE.

Commercial certification is now, undoubtedly, beginning to replace the traditional academic paths into IT - why then has this come about? As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, industry has of necessity moved to the specialised core-skills learning that the vendors themselves supply - namely companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. This usually turns out to involve less time and financial outlay. In a nutshell, only that which is required is learned. It's slightly more broad than that, but the principle objective is to cover the precise skills needed (alongside some required background) - without attempting to cover a bit about all sorts of other things (as academia often does).

As long as an employer understands what they're looking for, then they just need to look for the particular skill-set required. Commercial syllabuses are set to meet an exact requirement and don't change between schools (in the way that degree courses can).

Look at the facts below very carefully if you believe the marketing blurb about a guarantee for your exam looks like a reason to buy:

Of course it's not free - you're still coughing up for it - the price has simply been included in the whole thing. Should you seriously need to pass in one, you must avoid exam guarantees and pay when entering exams, prioritise it appropriately and give the task sufficient application.

Isn't it in your interests to find the best exam deal or offer when you take the exam, instead of paying a premium to the training company, and to do it in a local testing office - rather than possibly hours away from your area? Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on examinations when you don't need to? A lot of profit is secured by training companies getting paid upfront for exams - and banking on the fact that many won't be taken. Don't forget, with 'Exam Guarantees' from most places - you are not in control of when you are allowed to do a re-take. You'll have to prove conclusively that you can pass before they'll pay for another exam.

Exam fees averaged 112 pounds or thereabouts last year when taken at Prometric or VUE centres around the United Kingdom. So don't be talked into shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds more to have 'an Exam Guarantee', when any student knows that the most successful method is a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools.

Considering how a program is 'delivered' to you isn't always given the appropriate level of importance. In what way are your training elements sectioned? What is the specific order and what control do you have at what pace it arrives? Most companies will sell you a 2 or 3 year study programme, and courier the materials in pieces as you complete each section or exam. If you think this sound logical, then consider this: What if for some reason you don't get to the end of all the sections or exams? And what if the order provided doesn't meet your requirements? Due to no fault of yours, you may not meet the required timescales and therefore not end up with all the modules.

To be in the best situation you would have every piece of your study pack posted to your home before you even start; the entire package! This way, nothing can happen down the line which could affect the reaching of your goals.

Make sure you don't get caught-up, as a lot of students can, on the accreditation program. Training is not an end in itself; you're training to become commercially employable. Stay focused on what it is you want to achieve. It's a terrible situation, but thousands of new students commence training that sounds fabulous in the sales literature, but which gets us a career that doesn't satisfy. Just ask several college students for examples.

Prioritise understanding the expectations of your industry. Which particular certifications you'll be required to have and how you'll build your experience level. Spend some time thinking about how far you reckon you're going to want to go as it will often control your selection of accreditations. It's good advice for all students to speak with an experienced industry advisor before they make a decision on a particular training programme. This is essential to ensure it features what is required for that career path.

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