Weycrest Web Hosting Blog

Thinking of taking an MCSE? If the answer’s ‘yes’, there’s a good chance that you’re probably in 1 of 2 situations: You’re someone with a certain amount of knowledge and you’d like to consolidate your skill-set with the MCSE qualification. In contrast you could be completely new to the computer workplace, but it’s apparent to you there’s a huge demand for certified networking professionals.

As you do your searches, you will discover training providers that short-change you by not providing the most up-to-date Microsoft version. Steer clear of training companies like these as you’ll experience challenges at exam time. If you are studying an out-of-date syllabus, it could be impossible to pass. Watch out for computer training companies who’re just interested in your money. Always remember that buying training to get an MCSE is like buying a car. They are not all equal; some are reliable and will get you there in comfort, whilst others will constantly let you down. A conscientious organisation will offer you plenty of help to make sure a course is right for you. With those who have confidence in their programs, they’ll show you examples of it prior to registering.

Your training program should always include the latest Microsoft (or relevant organisation’s) accredited exam simulation and preparation packages. Make sure that the practice exams haven’t just got questions from the right areas, but also asking them in the way that the actual final exam will formulate them. It really messes up trainees if they’re met with completely different formats and phraseologies. Always ask for testing modules in order to test your knowledge along the way. Practice exams help to build your confidence – then you won’t be quite so nervous at the actual exam.

It’s important to understand: the training program or a qualification is not what you’re looking for; the job or career that you want to end up in is. A lot of colleges seem to over-emphasise just the training course. You may train for one year and then end up doing a job for a lifetime. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of taking what may be an ‘interesting’ training program only to spend 20 years doing something you don’t even enjoy!

It’s a good idea to understand what expectations industry may have of you. Which particular certifications you’ll be required to have and how you’ll build your experience level. It’s also worth spending time considering how far you’d like to get as it may force you to choose a particular set of certifications. It’s worth seeking guidance from a professional that can best explain the industry you’re hoping to qualify in, and who can offer ‘A typical day in the life of’ type of explanation of the job being considered. All of these things are very important as you’ll need to fully understand if you’re barking up the wrong tree.

Ensure all your qualifications are commercially valid and current – don’t bother with courses which lead to some in-house certificate (which is as useless as if you’d printed it yourself). Only nationally recognised certification from the likes of Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA and Cisco will mean anything to employers.

We need to make this very clear: You have to get round-the-clock 24×7 instructor support. We can tell you that you’ll strongly regret it if you don’t. You’ll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and telephone support is usually to a call-centre who will make some notes and then email an advisor – who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you’re there), at a time suitable for them. This is all next to useless if you’re sitting there confused over an issue and only have a specific time you can study.

We recommend that you search for study programmes that have multiple support offices across multiple time-zones. Each one should be integrated to enable simple one-stop access and also 24×7 access, when it’s convenient for you, without any problems. Always choose a training provider that offers this level of study support. As only true round-the-clock 24×7 support truly delivers for technical programs.

It’s usual for students to get confused with a single training area which doesn’t even occur to them: How the training is broken down and delivered to your home. Training companies will normally offer a 2 or 3 year study programme, and deliver each piece one-by-one as you finish each section. If you think this sound logical, then consider this: Maybe the order of study offered by the provider doesn’t suit. It may be difficult to get through every element within their timetable?

In a perfect world, you’d get ALL the training materials right at the beginning – giving you them all to come back to in the future – at any time you choose. Variations can then be made to the order that you complete each objective where a more intuitive path can be found.

With so many different choices of computer courses on the market now, it’s advisable to find a company who can help you settle on a good match for you. Professional companies will talk thoroughly through the types of jobs that might suit you, before offering you a training path that can educate you in the relevant field. Whether you’re hoping to be a whiz with office user skills, or want to advance your career and attain IT qualifications at a professional level, there are user-friendly courses and support to give you the chance you’ve been looking for.

Currently, there are several easily understood and sensibly priced options to be had that furnish you with a great learning experience.

If there’s any chance you’ll be enrolling with a training provider who is still using workshops as part of their program, then consider these issues encountered by the majority of trainees:

* Masses of travelling to and from the workshops – sometimes very long trips.

* Taking frequent time off work – a lot of companies can only give Mon-Fri class availability and often group days together in a clump. This isn’t ideal for most people who work, and this is made worse when travel time is included.

* Lost holiday days – a lot of workers are given only twenty days of leave annually. If you give up at least half to your study classes, vacation time is going to be quite short for students and their families.

* In a situation where running costs are very high, most colleges make the classes quite large – not ideal (and far less personal).

* The pace of the workshop – workshops normally have trainees of different talent, consequently there is often tension between the quicker-learners and those who prefer a more relaxed pace.

* The cost of travel – arranging transport backwards and forwards to the training premises and of course accommodation over-night can cost a lot every time you have to go. With only 5-10 workshops at a cost of 35 pounds for an over-night room, plus a petrol cost of 40 pounds and 15 pounds for food, that becomes a minimum of four to nine hundred pounds of extra costs to cover.

* It’s important to maintain privacy. We shouldn’t risk throwing away any advancement that we’re owed while we retrain.

* Most of us feel awkward about asking questions in a room full of other trainees – because none of us wants to look like we don’t understand.

* For those of us who need to occasionally live away for part of the week, imagine the increased difficulty in making the required workshops, when time is at a premium.

Why don’t you simply watch and be taught by tutors one-on-one from pre-filmed lessons, studying them when it suits you – not somebody else. Do them at home on your PC or why not in the garden on a laptop. If you’ve got questions, then logon to the 24×7 support facility (that we hope you’ll insist on with any technical courses.) No matter how often you have to re-cover a topic, filmed instructors will never get annoyed or frustrated! And remember, with this method, there’s no need to take notes. Everything’s laid out there for immediate use. Could it be simpler: No wasted time or money, travelling is avoided; and of course you get a much more stress-free learning environment.

Be watchful that any certifications you’re studying for are recognised by industry and are up-to-date. ‘In-house’ exams and the certificates they come with are usually worthless. If the accreditation doesn’t feature a conglomerate such as Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA, then you’ll probably find it will be commercially useless – because it won’t give an employer any directly-useable skills.

Considering how a program is ‘delivered’ to you isn’t always given the appropriate level of importance. How is the courseware broken down? And in what order and how fast does each element come? A release of your materials stage by stage, according to your own speed is how things will normally arrive. Of course, this sounds sensible, but you might like to consider this: It’s not unusual for trainees to realise that their providers ’standard’ path of training doesn’t suit. It’s often the case that a slightly different order suits them better. And what if you don’t get to the end at the pace they expect?

Put simply, the best solution is to obtain their recommendation on the best possible order of study, but get everything up-front. Everything is then in your possession in case you don’t finish quite as quick as they’d want.

Network and computer support staff are ever more in demand in this country, as businesses have come to depend on their technical advice and skills. The nation’s requirement for increasing numbers of skilled and qualified individuals multiplies, as human beings become ever more dependent on PC’s in the modern world.

Usually, trainers will provide piles of reference manuals and workbooks. This isn’t very interesting and isn’t the best way to go about taking things in. If we can study while utilising as many senses as possible, then the results are usually dramatically better.

Modern training can now be done at home via easy-to-use DVD or CD ROM’s. By watching and listening to instructors on video tutorials you’ll absorb the modules, one by one, via their teaching and demonstrations. You can then test yourself by utilising the practice lab’s and modules. It’s very important to see the type of training provided by any company that you may want to train through. They have to utilise instructor-led video demonstrations with virtual practice-lab’s.

Often, companies will only use just online versions of their training packages; and although this is okay the majority of the time, imagine the problems if you lose your internet access or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. A safer solution is the provision of CD and DVD ROM materials which don’t suffer from these broadband issues.

Your training program should always include the most up to date Microsoft (or relevant organisation’s) authorised simulation materials and exam preparation packages. Sometimes people can get confused by practising exam questions that aren’t recognised by official boards. Often, the question formats and phraseology is unfamiliar and it’s vital that you know this. A way to build self-confidence is if you test whether you’re learning enough through tests and mock ups of exams before you take the real deal.

An all too common mistake that we encounter all too often is to look for the actual course to take, instead of focusing on where they want to get to. Colleges are full of unaware students that chose a program because it looked interesting – rather than what would get them the job they want. It’s common, for example, to find immense satisfaction in a year of study only to end up putting 20 long years into a job you hate, as a consequence of not performing the correct research when you should’ve – at the outset.

Make sure you investigate your leanings around earning potential and career progression, and whether you intend to be quite ambitious. It makes sense to understand what will be expected of you, which particular certifications are required and how you’ll gain real-world experience. We recommend that students seek advice from an experienced professional before making your final decision on some particular learning path, so you can be sure that the specific package will give the skill-set required for your career choice.

With so much choice, it’s not really surprising that most potential career changers balk at what job they should even pursue. Because having no solid background in the IT industry, in what way could we be expected to know what someone in a particular job does? To attack this, we need to discuss a variety of core topics:

* Personality plays a significant part – what kind of areas spark your interest, and what are the areas that you really dislike.

* What time-frame are you looking at for your training?

* What scale of importance is the salary – is it of prime importance, or is job satisfaction a little higher on the priority-scale?

* Understanding what the main work areas and markets are – plus how they’re different to each other.

* You’ll also need to think hard about the level of commitment that you will set aside for the accreditation program.

The best way to avoid the confusing industry jargon, and uncover the most viable option for your success, have a good talk with an industry-experienced advisor; someone who will cover the commercial realities and truth while explaining all the qualifications.

We need to make this very clear: You have to get round-the-clock 24×7 instructor support. You will have so many problems later if you let this one slide. Many only provide email support (too slow), and telephone support is usually to a call-centre which will make some notes and then email an advisor – who will attempt to call you within 24-48 hrs, when it’s convenient to them. This is not a lot of use if you’re stuck with a particular problem and have a one hour time-slot in which to study.

We recommend looking for colleges that utilise many support facilities active in different time-zones. These should be integrated to enable simple one-stop access together with round-the-clock access, when you need it, without any problems. Don’t under any circumstances take a lower level of service. Online 24×7 support is the only way to go for technical courses. Perhaps you don’t intend to study during the evenings; but for most of us, we’re at work while the support is live.

The CompTIA A+ course comprises of 4 specialised sectors – the requirement is exam passes in 2 specialities to be considered A+ competent. This is why, most colleges only offer two of the training options. We think this is selling you short – certainly you’ll have the qualification, but knowledge of every section will give you greater confidence in industry, where knowledge of all four will be necessary. That’s the reason why you deserve training in all 4 specialities.

Courses in A+ computer training teach diagnostic techniques and fault-finding – via hands on and remote access, as well as building and fixing and understanding antistatic conditions. Should you be thinking of maintaining networks, you’ll need to add Network+ to your A+ course. This qualification will enable you to assist you greatly in the job market. You may also want to consider the networking qualifications from Microsoft, i.e. MCP, MCSA MCSE.

Looking around, we find a plethora of work available in computing. Finding the particular one for you is generally problematic. Since in the absence of any commercial background in IT, how can most of us be expected to know what anyone doing a particular job actually does? Contemplation on many factors is most definitely required when you want to discover the right answer for you:

* Your hobbies and interests – often these point towards what things will provide a happy working life.

* Are you hoping to obtain training for a precise motive – for instance, are you pushing to work based from home (working for yourself?)?

* Does salary have a higher place on your wish list than some other areas.

* There are many ways to train in Information Technology – you’ll need to gain some background information on what differentiates them.

* You’ll also need to think hard about what kind of effort and commitment that you will set aside for your training.

The best way to avoid the industry jargon, and uncover the most viable option for your success, have an informal chat with an industry-experienced advisor; a person who will cover the commercial realities and truth while explaining the accreditations.

Exam ‘guarantees’ are sometimes offered as part of a training package – they always involve paying for the exam fees up-front, when you pay for the rest of your course. Before you get carried away with the chance of a guarantee, be aware of the facts:

You’re paying for it by some means. One thing’s for sure – it isn’t free – they’ve just worked it into the package price. Qualifying on the first ‘go’ is what everyone wants to do. Entering examinations one at a time and paying for them just before taking them makes it far more likely you’ll pass first time – you prepare appropriately and are mindful of the investment you’ve made.

Look for the very best offer you can at the time, and keep hold of your own money. You’ll also be able to choose where to take your exam – so you can find somewhere local. Huge profits are made by some training companies who get money upfront for exam fees. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don’t get to do their exams but the company keeps the money. Amazingly, there are providers that depend on students not taking their exams – as that’s how they make a lot of their profit. Re-takes of any failed exams with organisations who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee’ are monitored with tight restrictions. You’ll be required to sit pre-tests until you’ve proven that you’re likely to pass.

Exam fees averaged around the 112 pounds mark twelve months or so ago via UK VUE or Prometric centres. So why pay hundreds or thousands of pounds extra to get ‘an Exam Guarantee’, when common sense dictates that the best guarantee is a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools.

If you’re like many of the students we talk to then you probably enjoy fairly practical work – the ‘hands-on’ individual. If you’re like us, the world of book-reading and classrooms would be considered as a last resort, but it doesn’t suit your way of doing things. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if books just don’t do it for you. Research has time and time again demonstrated that connecting physically with our study, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.

Interactive audio-visual materials involving demonstration and virtual lab’s will beat books every time. And you’ll find them fun and interesting. It would be silly not to view some of the typical study materials provided before you hand over your cheque. You should expect instructor-led video demonstrations and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections.

It’s folly to go for purely on-line training. With highly variable reliability and quality from the ISP (internet service provider) market, make sure you get CD or DVD ROM based materials.

When did you last consider your job security? Typically, this only rears its head when we experience a knock-back. But really, the lesson often learned too late is that job security simply doesn’t exist anymore, for most of us. It’s possible though to hit upon security at the market sector level, by looking for high demand areas, together with a shortage of skilled staff.

The IT skills shortfall in the UK currently stands at approximately 26 percent, as reported by the 2006 e-Skills analysis. Basically, we’re only able to fill just 3 out of 4 positions in Information Technology (IT). Fully taught and commercially certified new employees are as a result at a total premium, and it’s estimated to remain so for many years to come. Surely, now really is the very best time for retraining into the IT industry.

Considering how a program is ‘delivered’ to you isn’t always given the appropriate level of importance. In what way are your training elements sectioned? What is the order and at what speed is it delivered? Typically, you will purchase a course taking 1-3 years and receive a module at a time. While this may sound logical on one level, consider this: What would happen if you didn’t finish each and every exam at the required speed? Sometimes their preference of study order won’t be as easy as some other structure would for you.

To be straight, the perfect answer is to have their ideal ‘order’ of training laid out, but get everything up-front. Everything is then in your possession if you don’t manage to finish at their required pace.

Congratulations! Hitting upon this feature means you’re likely to be wondering about where you’re going, and if it’s new career training you’re deliberating over you’ve already done more than most. Are you aware that a small minority of us are fulfilled and satisfied with our jobs – but the majority will just put up with it. Why not liberate yourself and make a start – don’t you think you deserve it.

With regard to individual courses, seek out someone who will be able to guide you on which area will be right for you. An advisor who will take time to ask questions about your likes and dislikes, and discover what type of job will be right for you:

* Are you hoping to be involved with others in the workplace? Would you prefer to work with a small team or with many new people? Maybe working on your own with your own methodology would give you pleasure?

* The building trade and the banking industry are none too stable these days, so think carefully about the sector that would give you the most options?

* Once you’ve qualified, are you hoping your new skills will give you the ability to take you through to retirement?

* Are you confident that your industry training course will offer you employment opportunities, and offer the chance to allow you to work up to the time you want to stop?

It’s important that your number one choice is the IT sector – it’s well known that it’s on the grow. It’s not full of geeky individuals gazing at their PC’s all day – we know those roles do exist, but most jobs are done by people like you and me who earn considerably more than most.

Including examinations with the course fee and offering an ‘Exam Guarantee’ is a popular marketing tool with many training course providers. Consider the facts:

Of course it isn’t free – you’re still being charged for it – the price has simply been included in the whole thing. Students who enter their exams one by one, funding them one at a time are in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt. They are aware of their spending and prepare more appropriately to make sure they’re ready.

Go for the best offer you can find when you take the exam, and hang on to your cash. You’ll then be able to select where you do the examinations – meaning you can choose a local testing centre. A lot of current training providers secure huge profits because they’re getting paid for exam fees early then hoping that you won’t take them all. Remember, in the majority of cases of ‘exam guarantees’ – they control when and how often you are allowed to do a re-take. Subsequent exam attempts are only authorised at the company’s say so.

Due to typical VUE and Prometric exams coming in at approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain, the most cost-effective way to cover the cost is by paying when you need them. Why splash out often many hundreds of pounds extra at the beginning of your training? Study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.

If an advisor doesn’t ask many questions – it’s more than likely they’re just a salesperson. If they’re pushing towards a particular product before understanding your background and current experience level, then it’s very likely to be the case. With a little work-based experience or some accreditation, your starting-point of learning is different from a beginner. If you’re a student commencing IT study from scratch, it can be helpful to start out slowly, starting with a user-skills course first. This can be built into most accreditation programs.

So, why is it better to gain commercially accredited qualifications as opposed to the usual academic qualifications taught at schools, colleges or universities? Corporate based study (in industry terminology) is far more specialised and product-specific. The IT sector has realised that such specialised knowledge is necessary to handle a technically advancing commercial environment. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA are the dominant players. Higher education courses, for instance, often get bogged down in too much loosely associated study – with much too broad a syllabus. Students are then held back from understanding the specific essentials in enough depth.

Put yourself in the employer’s position – and you required somebody who had very specific skills. What’s the simplest way to find the right person: Go through a mass of different academic qualifications from graduate applicants, having to ask what each has covered and which vocational skills have been attained, or select a specialised number of commercial certifications that precisely match your needs, and then select who you want to interview from that. You can then focus on how someone will fit into the team at interview – rather than on the depth of their technical knowledge.

Being at the forefront of revolutionary new technology is about as exciting as it can get. You’re involved with impacting progress around the world. Technological changes and dialogue via the internet is going to spectacularly shape our lifestyles in the future; overwhelmingly so.

Should lifestyle be up there on your goal sheet, then you’ll be happy to know that the income on average for the majority of IT staff is significantly better than with most other jobs or industries. With the IT marketplace growing at an unprecedented rate, it’s predictable that the need for certified IT professionals will continue to boom for decades to come.

Often, trainers provide mainly work-books and reference manuals. It’s not a very interesting way to learn and not really conducive to remembering. If we’re able to get all of our senses involved in our learning, then the results are usually dramatically better.

Modern training can now be done at home via interactive discs. Instructor-led tutorials will mean you’ll absorb the modules, one by one, via the demonstrations and explanations. Knowledge can then be tested by practicing and interacting with the software. Any company that you’re considering must be able to demonstrate a few samples of their courseware. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and many interactive sections.

It is generally unwise to choose training that is only available online. Connection quality and reliability varies hugely across all internet service providers, you should always obtain disc based courseware (On CD or DVD).