CompTIA Computer Training Clarified

CompTIA A+ consists of 4 training sections; you're considered A+ competent when you've passed the test for half of them. This is the reason that the majority of training establishments only have two of the courses on their syllabus. In reality you're advised to have the information on each subject as industry will demand an understanding of the whole A+ program. You don't have to take all four exams, but we would recommend you study for all four areas.

Training courses in A+ teach diagnostic techniques and fault-finding - via hands on and remote access, in addition to building, fixing, repairing and having knowledge of antistatic conditions.

Perhaps you see yourself as a man or woman who works for a larger company - in network support, you should include CompTIA Network+ to your training package, or alternatively look at doing an MCSA or MCSE with Microsoft because it's necessary to have a wider knowledge of the way networks work.

Those that are drawn to this type of work are often very practical, and don't always take well to classrooms, and endless reading of dry academic textbooks. If this is putting you off studying, try the newer style of interactive study, where learning is video-based.

Years of research and study has always verified that connecting physically with our study, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.

Courses are now available on CD and DVD discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Video streaming means you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how it's all done, with some practice time to follow - via the interactive virtual lab's.

You really need to look at courseware examples from any company that you may want to train through. It's essential they incorporate video demo's and interactive elements such as practice lab's.

You should avoid purely online training. You want physical CD/DVD ROM course materials where possible, as you need to be able to use them whenever it's convenient for you - ISP quality varies, so you don't want to be totally reliant on your internet connection always being 'up' and available.

Don't accept anything less than the current Microsoft (or relevant organisation's) accredited exam simulation and preparation packages.

As the majority of examining boards for IT tend to be American, you'll need to be used to the correct phraseology. It isn't good enough just understanding random questions - they must be in an exam format that exactly replicates the real thing.

Mock exams can be very useful in helping you build your confidence - so when it comes to taking the proper exam, you won't be worried.

An important area that is sometimes not even considered by trainees considering a training program is 'training segmentation'. This is essentially how the program is broken down into parts to be delivered to you, which can make a dramatic difference to what you end up with.

Many companies enrol you into some sort of program spread over 1-3 years, and send out each piece as you complete each exam. This sounds reasonable until you consider the following:

Maybe the order of study offered by the provider doesn't suit. You may find it a stretch to finalise each and every section within the time limits imposed?

Ideally, you'd get ALL the training materials right at the beginning - giving you them all for the future to come back to - at any time you choose. This also allows you to vary the order in which you move through the program if you find another route more intuitive.

We'd all like to believe that our jobs will remain safe and our future is protected, but the growing likelihood for most jobs in the United Kingdom currently appears to be that security may be a thing of the past.

Whereas a marketplace with high growth, with a constant demand for staff (as there is a massive shortfall of commercially certified workers), opens the possibility of true job security.

Offering the IT market for example, the 2006 e-Skills analysis highlighted a skills shortage throughout Great Britain of around 26 percent. Showing that for each four job positions in existence throughout IT, we've only got three properly trained pro's to fulfil that role.

Gaining in-depth commercial IT certification is accordingly an effective route to succeed in a long-lasting and enjoyable livelihood.

It's unlikely if a better time or market circumstances is ever likely to exist for gaining qualification for this hugely expanding and developing sector.

(C) 2009 - S. Edwards. Pop to Comptia Certification or CLICK HERE.