Were it not for a regular deluge of knowledgeable network and computer support workers, commercial enterprise in the UK (and indeed in most countries) would be likely to be brought to its knees. There is a constantly increasing requirement for technicians to support both the systems and the users themselves. Because of the daunting complexities of technological advances, more and more qualified workers are required to run the smooth operation of functions we\’ve become dependent on.

Always expect an accredited exam preparation programme included in your course.

Students regularly can be thrown off course by practising exam questions that don\’t come from the authorised examining boards. Often, the way questions are phrased can be quite different and you need to be ready for this.

A way to build self-confidence is if you test your knowledge through quizzes and mock ups of exams prior to taking the proper exam.

Any program that you\’re going to undertake has to build towards a fully recognised major qualification as an end-goal – and not some unimportant \’in-house\’ piece of paper.

Only nationally recognised certification from companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe and CompTIA will mean anything to employers.

Don\’t forget: a course itself or an accreditation isn\’t the end-goal; the particular job that you want to end up in is. A lot of colleges seem to completely prioritise just the training course.

You could be training for only a year and end up performing the job-role for decades. Avoid the mistake of finding what seems like a program of interest to you only to spend 20 years doing something you don\’t even enjoy!

You must also consider how you feel about career development, earning potential, and if you\’re ambitious or not. You should understand what (if any) sacrifices you\’ll need to make for a particular role, what particular exams are required and how you\’ll gain real-world experience.

Have a conversation with a professional advisor who knows about the sector you\’re looking at, and who can give you a detailed run-down of the kind of things you\’ll be doing on a daily basis. Getting all these things right long before starting out on a learning programme will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.

Review the following points carefully if you believe that old marketing ploy of \’guaranteeing\’ exams sounds like a benefit to the student:

You\’ll pay for it one way or another. You can be assured it\’s not a freebie – it\’s simply been shoe-horned into the price as a whole.

Trainees who go in for their examinations when it\’s appropriate, funding them one at a time are much better placed to get through first time. They are conscious of their investment and take the necessary steps to be ready for the task.

Don\’t you think it\’s more sensible to hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the time, instead of paying a premium to the training college, and to take it closer to home – instead of miles away at the college\’s beck and call?

Many current training colleges make a great deal of profit because they\’re charging for examinations upfront then hoping either that you won\’t take them, or it will be a long time before you do.

You should fully understand that re-takes through training companies who offer an \’Exam Guarantee\’ inevitably are heavily regulated. They\’ll insist that you take mock exams first until you\’ve proven that you\’re likely to pass.

Spending hundreds or even thousands extra on \’Exam Guarantees\’ is naive – when study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really see you through.

(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Visit Learn Web Design or Click HERE.

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