What are the sort of things you’d expect the finest training organisations accredited by Microsoft to provide a trainee in Britain in this day and age? Patently, the finest training tracks certified by Microsoft, presenting a range of courses to lead you towards various areas of industry. In addition, you may want to get advice on the careers available to you after you’ve completed your training, and the type of individual such a career may be appropriate for. Lots of people feel happier if they can be advised on what would suit them individually. Make sure your course is designed to your ability level and skill set. A quality company will make sure that your training track is relevant to the status you wish to achieve.
Always expect the most up to date Microsoft (or any other key organisation’s) authorised exam preparation packages. Ensure that the mock exams are not only asking questions in the right areas, but also asking them in the exact format that the real exams will pose them. This throws students if the phraseology and format is completely different. It’s a good idea to request some practice exams that will allow you to test your comprehension whenever you need to. Simulated or practice exams log the information in your brain – then the real thing isn’t quite as scary.
The age-old way of teaching, involving piles of reference textbooks, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If you’re nodding as you read this, look for learning programmes which feature interactive and multimedia modules. Research has consistently shown that getting into our studies physically, will more likely produce memories that are deeper and longer-lasting.
Study programs now come on CD and DVD discs, where your computer becomes the centre of your learning. Video streaming means you are able to see your instructors showing you how something is done, followed by your chance to practice – via the interactive virtual lab’s. It’s wise to view a small selection of training examples before you hand over your cheque. The minimum you should expect would be videoed instructor demonstrations and interactive modules with audio-visual elements.
Many companies provide online training only; sometimes you can get away with this – but, imagine the problems if internet access is lost or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. It is usually safer to have CD and DVD ROM materials that removes the issue entirely.
It’s so important to understand this key point: You have to get round-the-clock 24×7 support from professional instructors. Later, you’ll kick yourself if you don’t follow this rule rigidly. Look for training with help available at all hours of the day and night (even 1am on Sunday morning!) You want 24×7 direct access to mentors and instructors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages – so you’re constantly waiting for a call-back – probably during office hours.
The best training colleges provide a web-based round-the-clock service pulling in several support offices throughout multiple time-zones. You’ll have a simple interface that seamlessly accesses whichever office is appropriate any time of the day or night: Support available as-and-when you want it. Don’t accept second best where support is concerned. The vast majority of trainees that fall by the wayside, are in that situation because they didn’t get the support necessary for them.
So, why might we choose qualifications from the commercial sector and not familiar academic qualifications gained through tech’ colleges and universities? Key company training (as it’s known in the industry) is far more specialised and product-specific. The IT sector has acknowledged that a specialist skill-set is what’s needed to handle a technologically complex commercial environment. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA dominate in this arena. Obviously, an appropriate portion of relevant additional detail must be covered, but focused specialised knowledge in the required areas gives a vendor educated person a distinct advantage.
The bottom line is: Recognised IT certifications tell an employer precisely what skills you have – the title says it all: as an example – I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Managing and Maintaining Windows Server 2003′. Consequently companies can look at their needs and which qualifications are required to fulfil that.
Being at the forefront of the cutting-edge of new technology is about as exciting as it can get. You become one of a team of people defining the world to come. We’ve barely started to scrape the surface of how technology will influence everything we do. The internet will profoundly revolutionise how we see and interrelate with the entire world over the next few years.
The usual IT employee in the UK is likely to get significantly more money than employees on a par in another industry. Standard IT incomes are hard to beat nationally. Because the IT market sector is still developing at an unprecedented rate, the chances are that demand for appropriately qualified IT professionals will remain buoyant for decades to come.
You must log in to post a comment.