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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

To be in the best situation you would have every piece of your study pack posted to your address right at the beginning; the entire thing! This way, nothing can happen down the line which could affect your progress.

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.

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.

Copyright 2009 S. Edwards. Check out Comptia Courses or www.acertification.co.uk.