Home Based Networking Training Clarified

In the UK today, industry couldn't function properly without the help of support workers solving problems with networks and computers, while giving advice to users on a day to day basis. As we're all becoming more and more dependent on technology, we also become increasingly dependent on the well trained networking professionals, who keep the systems going.

Of course: the actual training or a certification is not what you're looking for; the job or career that you want is. Many trainers unfortunately completely prioritise just the training course. It's a testament to the marketing skills of the big companies, but a large percentage of students start out on programs that sound wonderful from the syllabus guide, but which provides the end-result of a job that doesn't satisfy. Talk to many college students to see what we mean.

You'll want to understand the expectations of your industry. Which particular accreditations they will want you to have and in what way you can gain some industry experience. Spend some time setting guidelines as to how far you wish to build your skill-set as it may control your selection of accreditations. Always seek guidance and advice from an industry professional, even if you have to pay - it's much safer and cheaper to find out at the beginning whether something is going to suit and interest you, rather than realise after several years of study that you've picked the wrong track and have to return to the start of another program.

Commercially accredited qualifications are now, undoubtedly, already replacing the traditional routes into IT - but why is this? Key company training (in industry terminology) is far more effective and specialised. Industry has acknowledged that specialisation is essential to cope with a technically advancing world. Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA are the dominant players. Academic courses, for instance, clog up the training with vast amounts of background study - with much too broad a syllabus. Students are then prevented from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.

If an employer is aware what areas they need covered, then they simply need to advertise for someone with a specific qualification. The syllabuses are set to exacting standards and do not vary between trainers (in the way that degree courses can).

Think about the facts below in detail if you think that over-used sales technique about examination guarantees seems like a good idea:

They've allowed costings for it one way or another. It's definitely not free - it's simply been shoe-horned into the price as a whole. Qualifying on the first 'go' is what everyone wants to do. Taking your exams progressively one by one and funding them as you go has a marked effect on pass-rates - you prepare appropriately and think carefully about the costs.

Shouldn't you be looking to hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take the exam, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance to the college, and also to sit exams more locally - rather than in some remote centre? A lot of extra profit is netted by a number of companies who incorporate exam fees into the cost of the course. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don't get to do their exams but no refunds are given. Believe it or not, providers exist that actually bank on it - as that's how they make a lot of their profit. Remember, with 'Exam Guarantees' from most places - the company decides 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.

Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on 'Exam Guarantees' is naive - when hard work, commitment and the right preparation via exam simulations is what will get you through.

An area that's often missed by new students thinking about a course is 'training segmentation'. This is essentially the method used to break up the program for timed release to you, which makes a huge difference to where you end up. The majority of training companies will set up a 2 or 3 year study programme, and send out each piece as you pass each exam. If you think this sound logical, then consider this: What if there are reasons why you can't finish all the sections or exams? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Through no fault of your own, you mightn't complete everything fast enough and consequently not get all your materials.

To avoid any potential future issues, it's normal for most trainees to make sure that every element of their training is posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. It's then up to you at what speed and in which order you want to finish things.

Commencing from the viewpoint that it's necessary to choose the job we want to do first and foremost, before we can even contemplate which method of training ticks the right boxes, how do we decide on the correct route? Because having no previous experience in IT, in what way could we be expected to understand what someone in a particular job does? To work through this, a discussion is necessary, covering a variety of different aspects:

* Your hobbies and interests - as they can point towards what areas will provide a happy working life.

* Why it seems right starting in Information Technology - maybe you'd like to achieve a life-long goal like firing your boss and working for yourself for example.

* Your earning requirements that are important to you?

* Considering the huge variation that computing encapsulates, you'll need to be able to understand how they differ.

* Our advice is to think deeply about any sacrifices you'll need to make, as well as what commitment and time you're going to invest in your education.

At the end of the day, the only real way of understanding everything necessary is by means of a long chat with a professional that has enough background to provide solid advice.

By: Mr Jason Kendall

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