Choosing CompTIA Network Plus Training Compared
Posted: Tuesday, March 16, 2010
by Jason Kendall
In the fast-paced world we live in, support workers who can mend computers and networks, plus give daily advice to users, are vital in every part of the workplace. With the increasingly daunting complexities of technological advances, growing numbers of trained staff are needed to run the various different areas we've come to rely on.
It's very clear we're still paying for it - it's obviously already in the gross price invoiced by the training company. It's definitely not free (it's just marketing companies think we'll fall for anything they say!) For those who want to pass in one, evidence suggests you must fund each exam as you take it, prioritise it appropriately and apply yourself as required.
Don't pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you at the appropriate time, and keep hold of your own money. You also get more choice of where you sit the exam - so you can choose somewhere closer to home. Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on exams when there was no need to? Big margins are secured by training companies getting paid upfront for exams - and then hoping that you won't take them all. You should fully understand that re-takes through training course providers who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are tightly controlled. You'll be required to sit pre-tests to make sure they think you're going to pass.
With average Prometric and VUE tests costing in the region of 112 pounds in this country, 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. Commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.
Any advisor who doesn't ask many questions - it's likely they're actually nothing more than a salesman. If someone pushes specific products before understanding your background and current experience level, then it's definitely the case. Often, the starting point of study for a student with some experience will be substantially different to someone without. If this is your opening stab at IT study then it may be wise to begin with some basic user skills first.
Some commercial training providers only give basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); It's rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover. some companies only provide email support (slow), and phone support is often to a call-centre who will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor - who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you're there), when it's convenient to them. This isn't a lot of good if you're lost and confused and can only study at specific times.
Keep your eyes open for providers that utilise many support facilities across multiple time-zones. Every one of them needs to be seamlessly combined to offer a simple interface and also 24 hours-a-day access, when you want it, with no fuss. If you accept anything less than 24x7 support, you'll quickly find yourself regretting it. You might not want to use the service throughout the night, but you're bound to use weekends, early mornings or even late evenings at some point.
The perhaps intimidating chore of landing your first IT job is often eased by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance programme. Often, too much is made of this feature, for it's relatively easy for well qualified and focused men and women to get a job in this industry - because companies everywhere are seeking qualified personnel.
Update your CV at the beginning of your training though - you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don't put it off until you've qualified. It's possible that you won't have even got to the exam time when you land your first junior support job; but this can't and won't happen if your CV isn't in front of employers. Generally, an independent and specialised local recruitment consultant or service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any sector of a centralised training facility. Also of course they should know the local industry and employment needs.
Essentially, if you put as much hard work into securing a job as into studying, you won't have any problems. Some students curiously invest a great deal of time on their learning program and just give up once they've passed their exams and seem to expect employers to find them.(C) J. Kendall 2009. Visit Career Change Courses or AdultCareerTraining.co.uk.
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