In the UK today, many workplaces couldn’t function properly if it weren’t for support workers solving problems with networks and computers, while recommending solutions to users each and every day. The world’s desire for such skilled and qualified people is constantly growing, as everywhere we work becomes progressively more technologically advanced.
One thing you must always insist on is proper direct-access 24×7 support via dedicated instructors and mentors. Far too often we see trainers who only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later (but not weekends usually).
Look for training with proper support available at all hours of the day and night (irrespective of whether it’s the wee hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get direct access to tutors, and not simply some messaging service that means you’re constantly waiting for a call-back during office hours.
The very best programs opt for an online access 24×7 package combining multiple support operations over many time-zones. You will be provided with a single, easy-to-use interface that accesses the most appropriate office any time of the day or night: Support when it’s needed.
Always pick a trainer that cares. Only true live 24×7 support provides the necessary backup.
Most trainers typically provide mainly work-books and reference manuals. Obviously, this isn’t much fun and not a very good way of achieving retention.
If we’re able to utilise all of our senses into our learning, our results will often be quite spectacular.
Interactive full motion video with demonstrations and practice sessions will turn you off book-based study for ever more. And they’re far more fun.
You’ll definitely want a training material demonstration from your training provider. You should ask for instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and fully interactive skills-lab’s.
It’s usually bad advice to select online only courseware. With highly variable reliability and quality from most broadband providers, ensure that you have access to physical media such as CD or DVD ROM’s.
An advisor that doesn’t ask many questions – it’s more than likely they’re just a salesperson. If someone pushes specific products before looking at your personality and experience, then it’s definitely the case.
With a bit of real-world experience or some accreditation, your starting-point of learning is not the same as someone new to the industry.
Where this will be your first attempt at IT study then it may be wise to cut your teeth on user-skills and software training first.
Only consider study programs that lead to commercially acknowledged accreditations. There’s a plethora of small companies promoting unknown ‘in-house’ certificates which will prove unusable when it comes to finding a job.
The top IT companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco each have globally approved skills programs. These heavyweights will ensure your employability.
(C) Jason Kendall. Pop over to LearningLolly.com for superb information. www.learninglolly.com or Computer Network Course.