Computer and network support staff are ever more sought after in the United Kingdom, as organisations have come to depend on their technical advice and ability to fix and repair. Whereupon we're all becoming massively more dependent on our PC's, we simultaneously emerge as more dependent on the commercially qualified IT networkers, who keep the systems going.
Does job security really exist anymore? Here in the UK, with businesses changing their mind at alarming speeds, it seems increasingly unlikely. Security only exists now via a rapidly increasing market, driven forward by a shortage of trained workers. It's this shortage that creates the appropriate setting for a secure market - a far better situation.
Using the Information Technology (IT) business for example, the 2006 e-Skills investigation demonstrated major skills shortages throughout the United Kingdom in excess of 26 percent. Put directly, we only have the national capacity to fill just three out of each 4 job positions in the computing industry. This glaring fact clearly demonstrates the requirement for more properly certified computing professionals in the United Kingdom. While the market is evolving at the speed it is, is there any other market worth investigating for a new future.
Since the UK computer sector presents so many great career possibilities for us - what questions do we need to raise and what factors are most important?
Many companies focus completely on the certification process, and forget why you're doing this - which will always be getting the job or career you want. You should always begin with the final destination in mind - don't make the vehicle more important than the destination. Students often train for a single year but end up doing a job for a lifetime. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of opting for what may seem to be an 'interesting' training program only to waste your life away with an unrewarding career!
Be honest with yourself about how much you want to earn and whether you're an ambitious person or not. Often, this changes which particular qualifications will be expected and what'll be expected of you in your new role. Chat with a skilled advisor who has a commercial understanding of the realities faced in the industry, and could provide an in-depth explanation of what tasks are going to make up a typical day for you. Researching these areas before commencement of any training path makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?
Some training companies will only offer support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; It's rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover. Beware of institutions which use call-centres 'out-of-hours' - where an advisor will call back during standard office hours. This is no use if you're stuck and need an answer now.
The most successful trainers have many support offices from around the world. An online system provides an interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, help is at hand, with no hassle or contact issues. Never settle for a lower level of service. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only way to go when it comes to computer-based training. Perhaps you don't intend to study during the evenings; usually though, we're at work while the support is live.
The classroom style of learning we remember from school, using textbooks and whiteboards, is often a huge slog for most of us. If you're nodding as you read this, look for learning programmes which feature interactive and multimedia modules. Research into the way we learn shows that memory is aided when we involve as many senses as possible, and we put into practice what we've been studying.
Programs are now found in the form of CD and DVD ROM's, so everything is learned directly from your own PC. Through video streaming, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how it's all done, and then practice yourself - in a virtual lab environment. It's very important to see the type of training provided by any company that you may want to train through. You'll want to see that they include full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab's to practice the skills in.
It's usually bad advice to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, make sure you get actual CD or DVD ROM's.
Many men and women assume that the traditional school, college or university path is still the best way into IT. So why is commercial certification beginning to overtake it? With an ever-increasing technical demand on resources, the IT sector has been required to move to specialist courses only available through the vendors themselves - namely companies such as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA. This usually turns out to involve less time and financial outlay. They do this by focusing on the actual skills required (along with a relevant amount of background knowledge,) as opposed to spending months and years on the background 'extras' that computer Science Degrees can get bogged down in - to fill a three or four year course.
Imagine if you were an employer - and your company needed a person with some very particular skills. What is easier: Pore through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from graduate applicants, asking for course details and which workplace skills they have, or choose particular accreditations that perfectly fit your needs, and make your short-list from that. You can then focus on how someone will fit into the team at interview - instead of having to work out if they can do the job.
The best type of package of training will have fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages. Steer clear of relying on unofficial preparation materials for exams. The type of questions asked can be completely unlike authorised versions - and this leads to huge confusion when it comes to taking the real exam. Always ask for testing modules so you can verify your knowledge at any point. Practice exams will help to boost your attitude - then the real thing isn't quite as scary.
A service that many training companies provide is a Job Placement Assistance program. This is to assist your search for your first position. Don't get caught up in this feature - it isn't unusual for training companies to overstate it's need. Ultimately, the massive skills shortage in Britain is why employers will be interested in you.
Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't wait for when you're ready to start work. Being considered a 'maybe' is more than not being regarded at all. A decent number of junior support roles are got by students (sometimes when they've only just got going.) If it's important to you to find work near your home, then it's quite likely that a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service could work much better for you than a national service, for they're going to have insider knowledge of what's available near you.
Essentially, if you put as much hard work into finding a position as into training, you're not likely to experience problems. Some men and women bizarrely spend hundreds of hours on their course materials and then just stop once qualified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.
Does job security really exist anymore? Here in the UK, with businesses changing their mind at alarming speeds, it seems increasingly unlikely. Security only exists now via a rapidly increasing market, driven forward by a shortage of trained workers. It's this shortage that creates the appropriate setting for a secure market - a far better situation.
Using the Information Technology (IT) business for example, the 2006 e-Skills investigation demonstrated major skills shortages throughout the United Kingdom in excess of 26 percent. Put directly, we only have the national capacity to fill just three out of each 4 job positions in the computing industry. This glaring fact clearly demonstrates the requirement for more properly certified computing professionals in the United Kingdom. While the market is evolving at the speed it is, is there any other market worth investigating for a new future.
Since the UK computer sector presents so many great career possibilities for us - what questions do we need to raise and what factors are most important?
Many companies focus completely on the certification process, and forget why you're doing this - which will always be getting the job or career you want. You should always begin with the final destination in mind - don't make the vehicle more important than the destination. Students often train for a single year but end up doing a job for a lifetime. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of opting for what may seem to be an 'interesting' training program only to waste your life away with an unrewarding career!
Be honest with yourself about how much you want to earn and whether you're an ambitious person or not. Often, this changes which particular qualifications will be expected and what'll be expected of you in your new role. Chat with a skilled advisor who has a commercial understanding of the realities faced in the industry, and could provide an in-depth explanation of what tasks are going to make up a typical day for you. Researching these areas before commencement of any training path makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?
Some training companies will only offer support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; It's rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover. Beware of institutions which use call-centres 'out-of-hours' - where an advisor will call back during standard office hours. This is no use if you're stuck and need an answer now.
The most successful trainers have many support offices from around the world. An online system provides an interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, help is at hand, with no hassle or contact issues. Never settle for a lower level of service. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only way to go when it comes to computer-based training. Perhaps you don't intend to study during the evenings; usually though, we're at work while the support is live.
The classroom style of learning we remember from school, using textbooks and whiteboards, is often a huge slog for most of us. If you're nodding as you read this, look for learning programmes which feature interactive and multimedia modules. Research into the way we learn shows that memory is aided when we involve as many senses as possible, and we put into practice what we've been studying.
Programs are now found in the form of CD and DVD ROM's, so everything is learned directly from your own PC. Through video streaming, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how it's all done, and then practice yourself - in a virtual lab environment. It's very important to see the type of training provided by any company that you may want to train through. You'll want to see that they include full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab's to practice the skills in.
It's usually bad advice to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, make sure you get actual CD or DVD ROM's.
Many men and women assume that the traditional school, college or university path is still the best way into IT. So why is commercial certification beginning to overtake it? With an ever-increasing technical demand on resources, the IT sector has been required to move to specialist courses only available through the vendors themselves - namely companies such as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA. This usually turns out to involve less time and financial outlay. They do this by focusing on the actual skills required (along with a relevant amount of background knowledge,) as opposed to spending months and years on the background 'extras' that computer Science Degrees can get bogged down in - to fill a three or four year course.
Imagine if you were an employer - and your company needed a person with some very particular skills. What is easier: Pore through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from graduate applicants, asking for course details and which workplace skills they have, or choose particular accreditations that perfectly fit your needs, and make your short-list from that. You can then focus on how someone will fit into the team at interview - instead of having to work out if they can do the job.
The best type of package of training will have fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages. Steer clear of relying on unofficial preparation materials for exams. The type of questions asked can be completely unlike authorised versions - and this leads to huge confusion when it comes to taking the real exam. Always ask for testing modules so you can verify your knowledge at any point. Practice exams will help to boost your attitude - then the real thing isn't quite as scary.
A service that many training companies provide is a Job Placement Assistance program. This is to assist your search for your first position. Don't get caught up in this feature - it isn't unusual for training companies to overstate it's need. Ultimately, the massive skills shortage in Britain is why employers will be interested in you.
Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't wait for when you're ready to start work. Being considered a 'maybe' is more than not being regarded at all. A decent number of junior support roles are got by students (sometimes when they've only just got going.) If it's important to you to find work near your home, then it's quite likely that a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service could work much better for you than a national service, for they're going to have insider knowledge of what's available near you.
Essentially, if you put as much hard work into finding a position as into training, you're not likely to experience problems. Some men and women bizarrely spend hundreds of hours on their course materials and then just stop once qualified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.
About the Author:
Author Jason Kendall divides his time between consulting and promoting quality training and UK Support. If you're interested in IT Training, visit LearningLolly IT Training Courses.
0 comments:
Post a Comment