Good for you! By landing here you've doubtless been pondering on re-training to work in a different industry - so already you've made a start. Very fe...
Good for you! By landing here you've doubtless been pondering on re-training to work in a different industry - so already you've made a start. Very few of us are content with our jobs,
but no action is ever taken. So, why not be one of the few who make a difference in their lives.
We'd recommend that prior to beginning any individual training program, you discuss your plans with a person who has knowledge of the industry and can give you advice. The right person will be able to assess your personal likes and dislikes and help you sort out a role to fit you:
* Is collaborating with others important to you? Would that be with a small 'tightly-knit' team or with a lot of new people? It could be working by yourself in a task-based situation could suit you better?
* What criteria are fundamental with regard to the sector of industry you'll be employed in?
* Would you like this to be a one off time that you will need more qualifications?
* Would you like your retraining to be in an area where you believe you'll remain employable until your pension kicks in?
Don't overlook the IT sector, it will be well worth your time - it's one of the few sectors of industry still growing throughout Europe. And the salaries are much higher than most.
Most of us would love to think that our jobs will always be secure and our future is protected, but the likely scenario for most sectors in England currently seems to be that the marketplace is far from secure. In times of escalating skills deficits together with escalating demand of course, we generally find a fresh type of market-security; driven by the conditions of constant growth, organisations struggle to find enough staff.
Looking at the IT market, the most recent e-Skills analysis highlighted a more than 26 percent skills deficit. To put it another way, this shows that the United Kingdom can only find 3 certified professionals for each 4 job positions existing currently. This distressing idea underpins the urgent need for more properly qualified computer professionals in the country. In actuality, retraining in Information Technology as you progress through the years to come is probably the best career choice you could ever make.
Getting into your first IT role is often made easier if you're supported with a Job Placement Assistance service. With the huge need for more IT skills in Britain 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 land a job once you're trained and certified.
Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however - look to your training company for advice on how to do this. Don't wait till you've finished your exams. Quite often, you will get your initial job while you're still a student (even when you've just left first base). If your course details aren't on your CV - or it's not getting in front of interviewers, then you aren't even in the running! If you don't want to travel too far to work, then you'll probably find that an independent and specialised local employment service can generally be more appropriate than a national service, due to the fact that they are much more inclined to be familiar with local employment needs.
Just make sure you don't invest a great deal of time on your training course, then call a halt and imagine someone else is miraculously going to land you a job. Stand up for yourself and get on with the job. Put as much energy and enthusiasm into finding a good job as it took to pass the exams.
It's quite a normal occurrence for students not to check on something of absolutely vital importance - how their company segments the physical training materials, and into how many bits. A release of your materials one stage at a time, as you complete each module is how things will normally arrive. While sounding logical, you should take these factors into account: What would happen if you didn't finish each element at the proposed pace? And maybe you'll find their order of completion doesn't work as well as an alternative path could be.
Truth be told, the perfect answer is to obtain their recommendation on the best possible order of study, but get all the study materials at the start. You're then in possession of everything in the event you don't complete everything as fast as they'd like.
Far too many companies focus completely on the certification process, and avoid focusing on why you're doing this - getting yourself a new job or career. Always begin with the end in mind - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle. It's an awful thing, but a great many students start out on programs that sound spectacular from the prospectus, but which delivers a career that is of no interest. Just ask several university graduates for a real eye-opener.
Set targets for the income level you aspire to and the level of your ambition. Often, this changes what certifications you will need and what'll be expected of you in your new role. Our recommendation would be to take advice from an experienced advisor before settling on a learning programme, so you're sure from the outset that a program provides the appropriate skill-set.
