The CompTIA A+ course covers 4 different sectors – you’ll have to qualify in 2 different areas to be considered A+ competent. This is why, many training establishments restrict their A+ to just two of the 4 sectors. We consider that this is selling you short – sure, you can pass an exam, but knowing about the others will give you greater confidence in industry, where knowledge of all four will be necessary. This is why you need education in the whole course.
As well as learning how to build PC’s and fix them, students on an A+ training course will learn how to work in antistatic conditions, along with remote access, fault finding and diagnostics.
You might also choose to think about adding the CompTIA Network+ training as you can then also take care of computer networks, which means greater employment benefits.
We need to make this very clear: You have to get round-the-clock 24×7 instructor and mentor support. We can tell you that you’ll strongly regret it if you don’t follow this rule rigidly.
Find a good quality service with proper support available at any time you choose (even if it’s early hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get direct access to tutors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages – so you’re constantly waiting for a call-back at a convenient time for them.
The very best programs tend to use an online 24 hours-a-day service combining multiple support operations throughout multiple time-zones. You will be provided with a simple environment which accesses the most appropriate office irrespective of the time of day: Support when you need it.
If you opt for less than online 24×7 support, you’ll quickly find yourself regretting it. You may not need it in the middle of the night, but consider weekends, early mornings or even late evenings at some point.
So many training providers only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and completely avoid what it’s all actually about – which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the end goal – don’t get hung-up on the training vehicle.
Avoid becoming one of the unfortunate masses who choose a training program that seems ‘fun’ or ‘interesting’ – and get to the final hurdle of an accreditation for something they’ll never enjoy.
You need to keep your eye on where you want to go, and formulate your training based on that – avoid getting them back-to-front. Keep on track – making sure you’re training for something you’ll still be enjoying many years from now.
Sense dictates that you look for advice and guidance from an experienced industry professional before making your final decision on some particular training course, so there’s little doubt that the chosen route will give you the skill-set required for your career choice.
Getting into your first IT role sometimes feels easier to handle if you’re supported with a Job Placement Assistance program. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though – it’s quite easy for eager sales people to overplay it. Ultimately, the still growing need for IT personnel in this country is what will make you attractive to employers.
Help with your CV and interview techniques is sometimes offered (if it isn’t, consult one of our sites). Make sure you work on your old CV today – don’t leave it till you pass the exams!
Quite often, you’ll land your initial role while you’re still a student (even when you’ve just left first base). If you haven’t updated your CV to say what you’re studying (and it isn’t in the hands of someone with jobs to offer) then you aren’t even in the running!
Generally, you’ll receive better results from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than any training course provider’s national service, because they will be more familiar with the area and local employers.
Many people, apparently, conscientiously work through their course materials (for years sometimes), only to give up at the first hurdle when finding a job. Market yourself… Do everything you can to put yourself out there. Don’t think a job’s just going to jump out in front of you.
Have a conversation with a skilled consultant and they’ll entertain you with many awful tales of how students have been duped by salespeople. Make sure you deal with a skilled professional that asks lots of questions to find out what’s right for you – not for their bank-account! Dig until you find an ideal starting-point that fits you.
Remember, if in the past you’ve acquired any qualifications that are related, then you will often be able to pick-up at a different starting-point to someone who is new to the field.
Opening with a basic PC skills module first is often the best way to start into your IT program, depending on your current skill level.
(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Look at Computer Based Training or www.AdultTrainingCourse.co.uk/aadtrc.html.
