| In these days of super efficiency, support workers | | | | certificate to hang in your hallway. Only nationally |
| who are qualified to fix computers and networks, along | | | | recognised qualifications from companies such as |
| with giving constant assistance to users, are essential | | | | Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe and CompTIA will have any |
| in all areas of the economy. Because our society | | | | meaning to employers. |
| becomes massively more reliant on advanced | | | | Exam 'guarantees' are sometimes offered as part of |
| technology, we simultaneously find ourselves more | | | | a training package - inevitably that means paying for |
| dependent on the technically knowledgeable network | | | | the exams when you pay for the rest of your course. |
| engineers, who maintain those systems. | | | | Before you jump at a course with such a promise, |
| Of all the important things to consider, one of the most | | | | why not be aware of the facts: |
| essential is always 24x7 round-the-clock support via | | | | Obviously it isn't free - you are paying for it - it's just |
| expert mentors and instructors. So many companies | | | | been wrapped up in the price of the package. We all |
| we come across only seem to want to help while | | | | want to pass first time. Progressively working through |
| they're in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday | | | | your exams in order and paying as you go makes it |
| usually) and nothing at the weekends. Locate training | | | | far more likely you'll pass first time - you put the effort |
| schools with proper support available at any time of | | | | in and are conscious of what you've spent. |
| day or night (even if it's early hours on Sunday | | | | Doesn't it make more sense to go for the best offer |
| morning!) You'll need 24x7 direct access to mentors | | | | at the time, rather than coughing up months or even a |
| and instructors, and not simply some messaging | | | | year or two in advance to a training company, and to |
| service that means you're constantly waiting for a | | | | take it closer to home - rather than in some remote |
| call-back during office hours. | | | | centre? A lot of so-called credible training companies |
| The best training colleges offer a web-based 24 | | | | make huge amounts of money through charging for |
| hours-a-day package pulling in several support offices | | | | exam fees early then hoping you won't see them all |
| over many time-zones. You will be provided with a | | | | through. In addition to this, you should consider what an |
| single, easy-to-use interface which seamlessly | | | | 'exam guarantee' really means. Many training |
| accesses whichever office is appropriate any time of | | | | companies will not pay for re-takes until you're able to |
| the day or night: Support when it's needed. Don't ever | | | | demonstrate an excellent mock pass rate. |
| make the mistake of taking second best with the | | | | Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on an |
| quality of your support. Most students that give up, | | | | 'Exam Guarantee' is foolish - when hard work, |
| would have had a different experience if they'd got | | | | commitment and the right preparation via exam |
| the right support package in the first place. | | | | simulations is what will really guarantee success. |
| Many individuals don't really get what information | | | | The old fashioned style of teaching, utilising reference |
| technology is about. It is electrifying, revolutionary, and | | | | manuals and books, is often a huge slog for most of |
| means you're a part of the huge progress of | | | | us. If this sounds like you, look for learning programmes |
| technology that will affect us all over the next | | | | which feature interactive and multimedia modules. If we |
| generation. We've barely started to see just how | | | | can get all of our senses involved in our learning, our |
| technology is going to shape our lives. Computers and | | | | results will often be quite spectacular. |
| the web will significantly revolutionise how we regard | | | | The latest home-based training features interactive CD |
| and interrelate with the world around us over the | | | | and DVD ROM's. By watching and listening to |
| coming years. | | | | instructors on video tutorials you'll take everything in by |
| And don't forget salaries either - the typical | | | | way of their teaching and demonstrations. Then it's |
| remuneration over this country as a whole for the | | | | time to test your knowledge by interacting with the |
| usual IT worker is considerably more than in the rest | | | | software and practicing yourself. It makes sense to |
| of the economy. Chances are that you'll receive a | | | | see examples of the courseware provided before |
| much greater package than you could reasonably | | | | you sign the purchase order. What you want are |
| hope to get in other industries. There is a great | | | | instructor-led video demonstrations and a variety of |
| nationwide requirement for trained and qualified IT | | | | audio-visual and interactive sections. |
| technicians. Also, with the constant growth in the | | | | Avoiding training that is delivered purely online is |
| marketplace, it looks like there's going to be for the | | | | generally a good idea. You want physical CD/DVD |
| significant future. | | | | ROM course materials where possible, so that you |
| Every program under consideration really needs to | | | | have access at all times - it's not wise to be held |
| work up to a widely recognised certification as an | | | | hostage to a quality and continuous internet connection. |
| end-result - and not some unimportant 'in-house' printed | | | | |