CompTIA A Plus Careers Training - Options
March 1st, 2010
CompTIA A+ consists of 4 training sections; you’re considered competent at A+ when you’ve passed the test for just two specialist areas. Because of this, most training providers only teach 2 specialised areas. The truth is you will need the information on each subject as a lot of employment will ask for knowledge and skills of the whole A+ program. It isn’t necessary to complete all 4 certifications, but we would recommend you learn about all four.
Courses in A+ computer training are about fault finding and diagnosing - via hands on and remote access, as well as building and fixing and working in antistatic conditions.
If your ambition is taking care of computer networks, add the very comprehensive CompTIA Network+ to the CompTIA A+ training you’re doing. Including Network+ will mean you can command a more senior job role. Other ones that might be interesting to you are the Microsoft networking qualifications (MCP, MCSA and MCSE).
The classroom style of learning we remember from school, involving piles of reference textbooks, is an up-hill struggle for the majority of us. If this sounds like you, dig around for more practical courses which have a majority of interactive, multimedia parts.
Recent studies into the way we learn shows that long term memory is improved when we involve as many senses as possible, and we take action to use what we’ve learned.
Find a course where you’ll receive a selection of CD and DVD ROM’s - you’ll be learning from instructor videos and demo’s, with the facility to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions.
All companies should be able to show you samples of their training materials. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and interactive areas to practice in.
It doesn’t make sense to choose training that is only available online. Because of the variable quality and reliability of your average broadband company, it makes sense to have actual CD or DVD ROM’s.
Quite often, students have issues with one area of their training which is often not even considered: The breakdown of the course materials before being sent out to you.
You may think it logical (with most training taking 1-3 years to gain full certified status,) for your typical trainer to courier the courseware in stages, as you complete each part. However:
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.
In all honesty, the best option is to have a copy of their prescribed order of study, but to receive all the materials up-front. It’s then all yours in the event you don’t complete everything within their ideal time-table.
Make sure that all your certifications are what employers want - don’t bother with programmes that lead to in-house certificates.
Only properly recognised qualifications from the top companies like Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA and Cisco will open the doors to employers.
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.
Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews should be offered (if it isn’t, consult one of our sites). It’s essential that you bring your CV right up to date right away - not after you’ve qualified!
It’s not uncommon to find that junior support jobs have been bagged by people who’re still on their course and have yet to take their exams. This will at the very least get you on your way.
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.
A good number of trainees, apparently, conscientiously work through their course materials (for years sometimes), only to give up at the first hurdle when looking for the right position. Promote yourself… Do your best to get yourself known. A job isn’t just going to bump into you.
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