Computer training for CompTIA A+ has four specialist sections - you’ll need exam certification in 2 specialities to be seen as competent in A+. You’ll find that most training providers restrict their A+ to just two of the 4 sectors. To us, this will under prepare you - sure, you can pass an exam, but knowing about the others will set you apart in your working life, where knowledge of all four will be necessary. This is why you need education in the whole course.
Once you start your A+ computer training course you will develop an understanding of how to work in antistatic conditions and build and fix computers. Fault finding and diagnostic techniques through hands on and remote access are also covered.
It could be a good idea to consider adding Network+ training to your A+ as you’ll then be in a position to take care of computer networks, which means greater employment benefits.
We’d hazard a guess that you’re quite practically minded - a ‘hands-on’ individual. If you’re anything like us, the trial of reading reference books and manuals is something you’ll force on yourself if you absolutely have to, but it’s not really your thing. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if book-based learning really isn’t your style.
Research over recent years has repeatedly confirmed that getting into our studies physically, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.
You can now study via easy-to-use DVD or CD ROM’s. Instructor-led tutorials will mean you’ll learn your subject through the expert demonstrations. Then you test your knowledge by using practice-lab’s.
You must ensure that you see the type of training provided by the company you’re considering. Be sure that they contain video, demonstrations and various interactive elements.
You’ll find that many companies will only provide training that is purely available online; sometimes you can get away with this - but, consider what happens if your access to the internet is broken or you get slow speeds and down-time etc. It’s much safer to rely on CD and DVD ROM materials which don’t suffer from these broadband issues.
Students will sometimes miss checking on something of absolutely vital importance - how their company divides up the physical training materials, and into how many separate packages.
Typically, you will purchase a course staged over 2 or 3 years and get posted one section at a time - from one exam to the next. This may seem sensible until you think about these factors:
What if there are reasons why you can’t finish each and every exam? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Without any fault on your part, you may go a little slower and consequently not get all your materials.
To provide the maximum security and flexibility, many trainees now want to make sure that every element of their training is sent immediately, and not in a piecemeal fashion. You can then decide in which order and at what speed you want to finish things.
Make sure that all your certifications are what employers want - don’t bother with programmes that lead to in-house certificates.
If the accreditation doesn’t feature a conglomerate such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco, then it’s likely it could have been a waste of time and effort - because it won’t give an employer any directly-useable skills.
Searching for your first position in IT can feel more straightforward with the help of a Job Placement Assistance service. In reality it isn’t a complex operation to land your first job - as long as you’re correctly trained and certified; because there’s still a great need for IT skills in the UK today.
Ideally you should have help with your CV and interview techniques though; and we’d encourage any student to work on polishing up their CV as soon as they start a course - don’t delay for when you’re ready to start work.
Quite often, you’ll secure your first job whilst you’re still studying (occasionally right at the beginning). If your course details aren’t on your CV (and it’s not being looked at by employers) then you’re not even going to be known about!
Most often, a specialist locally based employment service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any division of a training company. It also stands to reason that they’ll know the local area and commercial needs.
To bottom line it, as long as you put the same commitment into finding a position as into studying, you’re not going to hit many challenges. Some students bizarrely put hundreds of hours into their training course and then just stop once they’ve got certified and seem to expect employers to find them.
(C) 2009 - S. Edwards. Look at A+ Certification or CLICK HERE.
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