CompTIA A+ computer training has four specialist sections - the requirement is exam passes in 2 specialities to be A+ competent. You'll find that most...
CompTIA A+ computer training has four specialist sections - the requirement is exam passes in 2 specialities to be A+ competent. You'll find that most colleges restrict their A+ to just two of the training options. We think this is too much of a compromise - certainly you'll have the qualification,
but knowledge of every section will give you a distinct advantage in the workplace, where you'll need to know about all of them. That's why we believe you should train in everything.
A+ computer training courses are about fault finding and diagnosing - both remote access and hands-on, in addition to building and fixing and having knowledge of antistatic conditions. You might also choose to think about adding Network+ training to your A+ as you can then also look after networks of computers, which means greater employment benefits.
Full support is of the utmost importance - look for a package offering 24x7 direct access to instructors, as not obtaining this level of support will severely put a damper on the speed you move through things. Many only provide email support (too slow), and so-called telephone support is normally just routed to a call-centre who will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor - who will then call back sometime over the next 24hrs, at a time suitable for them. This is all next to useless if you're stuck with a particular problem and only have a specific time you can study.
We recommend that you search for training schools that have multiple support offices around the globe in several time-zones. These should be integrated to provide a single interface together with access round-the-clock, when it suits you, with no fuss. If you accept anything less than support round-the-clock, you'll end up kicking yourself. You may avoid using the support late in the night, but what about weekends, evenings and early mornings at some point.
It can be a nerve-racking task, but landing your first IT job can be eased because some trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance programme. However sometimes there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, because it's relatively easy for any motivated and trained individual to secure work in this industry - as employers are keen to find appropriately trained staff.
Work on polishing up your CV right away however - look to your training company for advice on how to do this. Don't procrastinate and leave it for when you're ready to start work. You'll often find that you'll land your first role while still studying (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're not even going to be known about! Most often, a specialist locally based recruitment consultancy (who will get paid commission to place you) will be more pro-active than a recruitment division from a training organisation. Also of course they should know the local industry and employment needs.
Various students, apparently, are prepared to study their hearts out (for years sometimes), and then just stop instead of attempting to secure the right position. Market yourself... Work hard to get in front of employers. A job isn't just going to bump into you.
Ensure all your accreditations are what employers want - you're wasting your time with programmes that lead to in-house certificates. Unless the accreditation comes from a company like Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA or Cisco, then you'll probably find it won't be commercially viable - as no-one will have heard of it.
Incorporating examination fees upfront then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status is popular with a number of training colleges. But let's examine why they really do it:
Clearly it's not free - you are paying for it - the price has simply been included in the whole thing. For those who want to pass first time, then you should pay for each exam as you go, give it the necessary attention and apply yourself as required.
Find the best exam deal or offer available when you take the exam, and avoid college mark-up fees. In addition, it's then your choice where to do your exams - which means you can stay local. Many unscrupulous training companies secure big margins because they're getting in the money for exams at the start of the course then banking on the fact that many won't be taken. Many training companies will require you to sit pre-tests and not allow you to re-take an exam until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - making an 'exam guarantee' just about worthless.
Exam fees averaged approximately 112 pounds in the last 12 months when taken at Prometric or VUE centres around the United Kingdom. Therefore, why splash out often many hundreds of pounds extra to get 'an Exam Guarantee', when common sense dictates that the best guarantee is a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools.
