Networking Retraining – Thoughts

Jason Kendall on Aug 26th 2009

If we didn’t have a steady stream of knowledgeable network and PC support personnel, industry in the UK (along with most other places) would inevitably be drawn to a standstill. Consequently, there’s a huge requirement for people to support systems and users alike. Our country’s need for better skilled and qualified individuals grows, as human beings become vastly more reliant on PC’s in these modern times.

Beware of putting too much emphasis, as a lot of students can, on the training course itself. Your training isn’t about getting a plaque on your wall; you should be geared towards the actual job at the end of it. You need to remain focused on where you want to go. Don’t let yourself become part of that group who set off on a track which looks like it could be fun – and end up with a certification for a job they hate.

Spend some time thinking about earning potential and what level of ambition fits you. Often, this changes what precise qualifications will be expected and how much effort you’ll have to give in return. Prior to embarking on a particular training course, you’d be well advised to discuss individual job needs with a skilled advisor, to make sure the study course covers everything needed.

Wouldn’t it be great to know for sure that our careers are safe and our future is protected, but the likely scenario for most sectors throughout the United Kingdom at the moment is that the marketplace is far from secure. Of course, a quickly growing market-place, with a constant demand for staff (because of a growing shortfall of fully trained staff), opens the possibility of lasting job security.

The IT skills shortage across the country is standing at approx twenty six percent, as shown by the 2006 e-Skills investigation. To explain it in a different way, this shows that Great Britain can only find 3 trained people for every four jobs that exist currently. This single concept alone is the backbone of why Great Britain needs a lot more new trainees to join the IT sector. Actually, retraining in Information Technology as you progress through the years to come is almost definitely the best career choice you could ever make.

Every program under consideration should always lead to a nationally (or globally) recognised exam as an end-result – and not some unimportant ‘in-house’ diploma – fit only for filing away and forgetting. Only properly recognised accreditation from the major players like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe and Cisco will mean anything to employers.

Being a part of the cutting-edge of new technology is as thrilling as it comes. You’re involved with impacting progress around the world. We are really only just beginning to understand how all this will mould and change our lives. The way we interact with the world will be profoundly affected by computers and the web.

Let’s not ignore salaries either – the income on average in Great Britain for a typical person working in IT is a lot greater than remuneration packages in other sectors. It’s likely you’ll bring in a whole lot more than you’d expect to earn doing other work. Demand for professionally qualified and skilled IT workers is assured for many years to come, due to the ongoing increase in this sector and the massive shortage that remains.

Consider the following points carefully if you’ve been persuaded that the sales ploy of ‘guaranteeing’ exams sounds like a benefit to the student:

We all know that we’re still footing the bill for it – it’s not so hard to see that it’s been inserted into the overall figure from the college. It’s certainly not free – and it’s insulting that we’re supposed to think it is! Qualifying on the first ‘go’ is what everyone wants to do. Progressively working through your exams when it’s appropriate and funding them as you go makes it far more likely you’ll pass first time – you revise thoroughly and think carefully about the costs.

Do the examinations somewhere close to home and go for the best offer you can find when you’re ready. Why tie up your cash (or borrow more than you need) for examination fees when there’s absolutely nothing that says you have to? Big margins are made by companies charging upfront for all their exams – and then cashing in when they’re not all taken. It’s also worth noting that exam guarantees often have very little value. The majority of organisations will not pay for re-takes until you’re able to demonstrate an excellent mock pass rate.

With average Prometric and VUE examinations coming in at around 112 pounds in the UK, the most cost-effective way to cover the cost is by paying when you need them. It’s not in the student’s interests to fork out hundreds or thousands of pounds for exams when enrolling on a course. Consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.

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