Discussions on Networking Training Uncovered
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009
by Jason Kendall
Without a regular deluge of qualified computer and network support staff, commercial enterprise in the United Kingdom (and indeed in most countries) could well be brought to its knees. There is an on-going demand for technically able people to support systems and users alike. The need for the above mentioned members of the workforce is constantly growing, as commercial enterprise becomes significantly more dependent upon technology.
Update your CV at the beginning of your training though - look to your training company for advice on how to do this. Don't put it off till you've finished your exams. Many junior support jobs have been offered to people who are still studying and haven't got any qualifications yet. At least this will get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile. In many cases, a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service - who make their money when they've found you a job - will be more pro-active than a recruitment division from a training organisation. Also of course they should be familiar with the local area and commercial needs.
To bottom line it, if you put as much hard work into getting a position as into studying, you won't find it too challenging. A number of men and women strangely conscientiously work through their course materials and do nothing more once qualified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.
Any program that you're going to undertake should always lead to a commercially valid certification as an end-result - definitely not some 'in-house' diploma - fit only for filing away and forgetting. If your certification doesn't come from a company like Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA, then chances are it will have been a waste of time - because it won't give an employer any directly-useable skills.
At the top of your shopping list for a training program should be proper direct-access 24x7 support from expert mentors and instructors. Far too often we see trainers who will only offer a basic 9am till 6pm support period (maybe later on certain days) with very little availability over the weekend. Never purchase study programmes that only provide support to trainees through a call-centre messaging service after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Companies will defend this with all kinds of excuses. The simple fact of the matter is - support is needed when it's needed - not when it suits them.
If you look properly, you'll find professional companies who offer online support at all times - even in the middle of the night. Seek out a trainer that goes the extra mile. Only proper live 24x7 round-the-clock support truly delivers for technical programs.
We can guess that you're quite practically minded - the 'hands-on' type. If you're like us, the world of book-reading and classrooms would be considered as a last resort, but it's not ideal. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if book-based learning really isn't your style. Studies in learning psychology have shown that much more of what we learn in remembered when we receive multi-sensorial input, and we put into practice what we've been studying.
Top of the range study programs now offer self-contained CD or DVD materials. Instructor-led tutorials will mean you'll find things easier to remember via the demonstrations and explanations. You can then test yourself by utilising the practice lab's and modules. Don't take any chances and look at examples of the courseware provided before you purchase a course. What you want are instructor-led video demonstrations and interactive modules with audio-visual elements.
Avoiding training that is delivered purely online is generally a good idea. Ideally, you should opt for CD and DVD ROM courseware where available, as you need to be able to use them whenever it's convenient for you - ISP quality varies, so you don't want to be totally reliant on a quality and continuous internet connection.(C) Jason Kendall. Go to LearningLolly.com for intelligent ideas on IT Training Course and Comptia Network+ Certification.
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