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Discussions on CompTIA Training (110509)

May 30th, 2009

The CompTIA A+ training program covers four areas of training; you’re seen as an A+ achiever when you’ve passed the test for half of them. This is why most training providers only teach 2 specialised areas. You’ll find that you’re advised to have the teaching in all areas as many positions will require the skills and knowledge of each specialist area. It’s not essential to take all four exams, but we would recommend you at least have a working knowledge of every area.

Once you start your CompTIA A+, you’ll become familiar with how to work in antistatic conditions and build and fix computers. Diagnostic techniques and fault finding are also on the syllabus, as is remote access. Were you to add Network+ to your A+ course, you’ll also have the ability to take care of networks, allowing you to expect a better remuneration package.

Listening to all the debate covering IT at present, how do we recognize what precisely to look for?

Students looking to get a career in IT generally haven’t a clue which direction they should take, or what market to obtain accreditation for. What chances do most of us have of understanding the tasks faced daily in an IT career when we haven’t done that before? Often we don’t know someone who is in that area at all. Reflection on many areas is essential when you need to dig down a solution that suits you:

* Our personalities play a major role - what kind of areas spark your interest, and what tasks you really dislike.

* What is the time-frame for retraining?

* How highly do you rate salary - is it the most important thing, or is enjoying your job a lot higher on your list of priorities?

* Always think in-depth about the energy needed to attain their desired level.

* You need to take in what is different for each individual training area.

Ultimately, your only chance of covering these is via a meeting with a professional that knows the industry well enough to give you the information required.

We can’t make a big enough deal out of this point: It’s essential to obtain proper 24×7 round-the-clock instructor and mentor support. Later, you’ll kick yourself if you don’t follow this rule rigidly. Avoid certification programs which can only support trainees via a message system when it’s outside of usual working hours. Training companies will always try to hide the importance of this issue. But, no matter how they put it - you need support when you need support - not at times when they find it cheaper to provide it.

Keep looking and you’ll come across professional companies who provide their students direct-access support at all times - no matter what time of day it is. Never settle for anything less. Direct-access 24×7 support is the only kind to make the grade when it comes to technical learning. It’s possible you don’t intend to study late evenings; usually though, we’re working during the provided support period.

Traditional teaching in classrooms, utilising reference manuals and books, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If this sounds like you, find training programs which feature interactive and multimedia modules. Many studies have proved that much more of what we learn in remembered when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get physically involved with the study process.

Interactive full motion video utilising video demo’s and practice lab’s will beat books every time. And you’ll actually enjoy doing them. Every company that you look at must be able to demonstrate some samples of their training materials. You’re looking for evidence of tutorial videos and demonstrations and a variety of interactive modules.

Avoiding training that is delivered purely online is generally a good idea. You want physical CD/DVD ROM course materials where obtainable, so that you have access at all times - you don’t want to be reliant on a quality and continuous internet connection.

A lot of training academies are still using one of the most out-dated training concepts - classroom lessons. Often sold as a benefit, following a chat with most students who’ve had to attend a couple, don’t be surprised to be lectured on several if not all of these issues:

* Frequent centre visits - quite often 100’s of miles or more.

* Mon-Fri access for events is usual, and with two or three days required at a time, this is usually problematic for most working students.

* Most of us end up feeling 4 weeks annual leave is barely enough. Knock off a big chunk of this for study days and see how much more difficult it makes things.

* Training events usually become way too big.

* Some attendees want to work as quickly as possible, but some need a more gentle learning curve and not be pushed beyond their comfort-zone. This causes tension and bad atmosphere in most cases.

* Let’s not ignore the extra expense of travelling or accommodation either. Often, this will cost hundreds and even thousands of pounds extra. Sit down and add it up - you may be surprised.

* Don’t risk any chance of getting side-stepped for a possible promotion or salary hikes because you’re getting trained in a different area.

* It’s very common for students to hide the fact that they want to raise a question - purely due to the reason that they’re with their peers.

* For those of us who need to on occasion live away for part of the week, imagine the increased difficulty in getting to the needed workshops, as time is now more scarce than ever.

An altogether more elegant solution rests with watching a pre-made class - with instructor-led learning available at any time of day. Study can happen anywhere that suits. If your PC is a laptop, why not catch a little sunshine in your garden as you study. Any difficulties and get onto the live 24×7 support. Repeat any of the classes at any time you need to brush up - memory is aided by repetition. And note-taking becomes a thing of the past - everything’s laid on. Could it be more straightforward: Time and money is saved and travelling is avoided altogether; and of course you have a far more comfortable training atmosphere.

Massive developments are flooding technology as we approach the second decade of the 21st century - and it only gets more exciting every day. It’s a common misapprehension that the technological revolution that’s been a familiar part of our recent lives is cooling down. All indicators point in the opposite direction. Terrific advances are ahead of us, and the internet significantly is going to dominate how we conduct our lives.

If making decent money is high on your wish list, you’ll be happy to know that the income on average of a typical IT worker is significantly greater than with most other jobs or industries. There is a great national need for trained and qualified IT technicians. It follows that as growth in the industry shows little sign of contracting, it seems this pattern will continue for the significant future.

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