Selecting an IT training program that equates to the needs of industry is vital in today's economy. However, it's equally relevant to discover one tha...
Selecting an IT training program that equates to the needs of industry is vital in today's economy. However,
it's equally relevant to discover one that you can cope with, that fits your character and ability level. There are so many directions you can go in. Often people need Microsoft user skills, some want training for careers in Web Design, Databases, Programming or Networking - and all can be catered for. However, with so many to choose from, don't pluck a course out of the air. Why not discuss your needs with an advisor who has experience of the IT economy, and will guide you to where you want to go.
By keeping costs to a minimum, computer training providers can now offer up-to-the-minute courses that have great quality training and support for considerably less money than is expected from the old-school colleges.
Now, why should we consider commercial qualifications and not traditional academic qualifications gained through schools, colleges or universities? Corporate based study (to use industry-speak) is far more specialised and product-specific. The IT sector has become aware that specialisation is vital to service the demands of an increasingly more technical commercial environment. Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA are the key players in this arena. Obviously, a certain amount of background knowledge needs to be taught, but essential specifics in the particular job function gives a commercially trained student a real head start.
If an employer is aware what areas they need covered, then they simply need to advertise for someone with a specific qualification. Syllabuses all have to conform to the same requirements and don't change between schools (in the way that degree courses can).
Any advisor who doesn't ask you a lot of questions - it's more than likely they're actually nothing more than a salesman. If they push a particular product before understanding your background and current experience level, then you know you're being sold to. With a strong background, or maybe some commercial experience (some certifications gained previously perhaps?) then it's likely the level you'll need to start at will be very different from someone with no background whatsoever. If you're a student beginning IT exams and training as a new venture, you might like to ease in gradually, by working on some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. This can be built into any study program.
A useful feature that several companies offer is job placement assistance. This is designed to steer you into your first IT role. However sometimes too much is made of this feature, for it's relatively easy for a well trained and motivated person to get a job in the IT industry - because there's a great need for trained staff.
Get your CV updated straight-away though - you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don't delay for when you're ready to start work. A good number of junior support roles are offered to people who are still learning and haven't got any qualifications yet. This will at least get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile. The best services to help get you placed are generally independent and specialised local recruitment services. As they're keen to place you to receive their commission, they'll work that much harder to get a result.
Not inconsiderable numbers of trainees, it would appear, are prepared to study their hearts out (sometimes for years), and then just stop instead of looking for the right position. Promote yourself... Work hard to get in front of employers. Good jobs don't just knock on your door.
Locating job security in the current climate is very rare. Companies frequently throw us out of the workforce at a moment's notice - as long as it fits their needs. When we come across growing skills shortfalls and rising demand though, we generally hit upon a newly emerging type of market-security; driven forward by the constant growth conditions, companies struggle to find enough staff.
A rather worrying national e-Skills analysis brought to light that more than 26 percent of all IT positions available are unfilled due to a lack of trained staff. Basically, we can't properly place more than three out of every 4 jobs in Information Technology (IT). This one notion in itself clearly demonstrates why the United Kingdom requires a lot more people to enter the Information Technology market. No better time or market circumstances is ever likely to exist for obtaining certification in this quickly growing and blossoming business.
