The CompTIA A+ training program covers four areas of training; you’re qualified as competent at A+ when you’ve passed the test for just two specialist areas. This is the reason that most training providers only have two of the courses on their syllabus. In fact you will need the information on each subject as a lot of employment will require an understanding of the entire course. Don’t feel pressured to pass exams in all of them, although it would seem prudent that you learn about all four.
CompTIA A+ without additional courses will allow you to fix and repair computers and Macs; ones which are usually not part of a network – which means the home or small business market.
If you feel it appropriate to add Network+ training, you will additionally be able to assist with or manage networks of computers, allowing you to move further up the career path.
We’re regularly asked to explain why academic qualifications are being replaced by more commercial certificates?
With the costs of academic degree’s climbing ever higher, plus the industry’s recognition that accreditation-based training is often far more commercially relevant, we’ve seen a great increase in Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA accredited training programmes that supply key solutions to a student for much less time and money.
In essence, the learning just focuses on what’s actually required. It isn’t quite as lean as that might sound, but the most important function is always to concentrate on the fundamentally important skill-sets (along with a certain amount of crucial background) – without attempting to cover a bit about every other area (as universities often do).
Assuming a company understands what they’re looking for, then they just need to look for someone with a specific qualification. Syllabuses all have to conform to the same requirements and do not vary between trainers (like academia frequently can and does).
The world of information technology is one of the most stimulating and innovative industries that you can get into right now. To be dealing with leading-edge technology means you’re a part of the huge progress that will affect us all over the next generation.
We’re barely beginning to get to grips with what this change will mean to us. The way we interact with the world will be massively affected by computers and the internet.
Should lifestyle be up there on your list of priorities, then you will appreciate the fact that the income on average of the majority of IT staff is significantly greater than with other market sectors.
It seems there is a lot more room for IT increases in Great Britain as a whole. The industry is continuing to expand enormously, and as we have a skills gap that means we only typically have three IT workers for every four jobs it’s most unlikely that things will be any different for the significant future.
Far too many companies only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and completely miss why you’re doing this – which is a commercial career or job. You should always begin with where you want to get to – don’t make the vehicle more important than the destination.
Imagine training for just one year and then end up doing the job for 20 years. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of taking what may be an ‘interesting’ training program only to spend 20 years doing a job you don’t like!
Spend some time thinking about how much you want to earn and what level of ambition fits you. This can often control what accreditations will be expected and how much effort you’ll have to give in return.
Our recommendation would be to always seek guidance and advice from an experienced professional before making your final decision on a particular training program, so there’s no doubt that the chosen route will give you the appropriate skill-set.
If your advisor doesn’t question you thoroughly – chances are they’re just trying to sell you something. If they’re pushing towards a particular product before understanding your background and experience, then you know it’s true.
Often, the level to start at for a trainee experienced in some areas can be massively different to the student with no experience.
Working through a basic PC skills course first may be the ideal way to commence your IT training, depending on your skill level at the moment.
(C) Jason Kendall. Hop over to LearningLolly.com for excellent ideas. www.learninglolly.com or CLICK HERE.
