Training in Computer Support
These days, industry couldn’t function properly if it weren’t for support workers fixing PC’s and networks, while recommending solutions to users on a day to day basis. Industry’s need for better technically qualified people grows, as we become significantly more beholden to PC’s in the modern world.
It would be wonderful to believe that our jobs are safe and our work prospects are protected, however, the truth for most sectors in Great Britain right now seems to be that the marketplace is far from secure. Where there are rising skills shortfalls together with increasing demand of course, we almost always locate a new kind of security in the marketplace; as fuelled by conditions of continuous growth, organisations struggle to find the number of people required.
Recently, a British e-Skills study highlighted that more than 26 percent of IT jobs remain unfilled as an upshot of a chronic shortage of trained staff. Meaning that for each 4 job positions existing in Information Technology (IT), we’ve only got three properly trained pro’s to fulfil that role. This alarming reality underpins the requirement for more properly accredited computer professionals in the United Kingdom. Undoubtedly, now, more than ever, really is such a perfect time to consider retraining into the computing industry.
How can we go about making a good choice then? With all these possibilities, it’s important to know where to investigate – and what it is we should be digging for.
A fatal Faux-Pas that students everywhere can make is to choose a career based on a course, rather than starting with the end result they want to achieve. Colleges are stacked to the hilt with direction-less students that chose an ‘interesting’ course – rather than what would get them the job they want. You may train for one year and then end up doing a job for a lifetime. Don’t make the mistake of taking what may be an ‘interesting’ course and then spend decades in a job you hate!
It’s a good idea to understand what expectations industry may have of you. Which precise exams you’ll need and in what way you can gain some industry experience. Spend some time considering how far you’d like to progress your career as it will often force you to choose a particular set of exams. It’s worth seeking help from someone that knows the commercial realities of the sector you’ve chosen, and is able to give you ‘A day in the life of’ outline of the job being considered. This is incredibly important because you need to know if this change is right for you.
Some training companies will only offer support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; It’s rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover. Beware of institutions which use call-centres ‘out-of-hours’ – where an advisor will call back during standard office hours. This is no use if you’re stuck and need an answer now.
Keep your eyes open for training schools that have multiple support offices around the globe in several time-zones. These should be integrated to provide a single interface together with 24×7 access, when it’s convenient for you, without any problems. Never make do with a lower level of service. 24×7 support is the only kind to make the grade with technical training. It’s possible you don’t intend to study late evenings; but for the majority of us however, we’re out at work at the time when most support is available.
The classroom style of learning we remember from school, using textbooks and whiteboards, is often a huge slog for most of us. If you’re nodding as you read this, look for learning programmes which feature interactive and multimedia modules. Research into the way we learn shows that memory is aided when we involve as many senses as possible, and we put into practice what we’ve been studying.
Programs are now found in the form of CD and DVD ROM’s, so everything is learned directly from your own PC. Through video streaming, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how it’s all done, and then practice yourself – in a virtual lab environment. It’s very important to see the type of training provided by any company that you may want to train through. You’ll want to see that they include full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab’s to practice the skills in.
It is generally unwise to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from your average broadband company, it makes sense to have CD or DVD ROM based materials.
Many men and women assume that the state educational path is still the most effective. Why then are commercial certificates beginning to overtake it? Accreditation-based training (to use industry-speak) is far more specialised and product-specific. Industry has become aware that this level of specialised understanding is essential to meet the requirements of a technologically complex commercial environment. Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe are the dominant players. Essentially, only that which is required is learned. It’s not quite as straightforward as that, but the most important function is always to master the precisely demanded skill-sets (alongside some required background) – without going into too much detail in everything else (as universities often do).
Think about if you were the employer – and you wanted someone who could provide a specific set of skills. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through loads of academic qualifications from several applicants, trying to establish what they know and which vocational skills they’ve acquired, or select a specialised number of commercial certifications that perfectly fit your needs, and make your short-list from that. You can then focus on how someone will fit into the team at interview – instead of having to work out if they can do the job.
The best type of package of training will have fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages. Steer clear of relying on unofficial preparation materials for exams. The type of questions asked can be completely unlike authorised versions – and this leads to huge confusion when it comes to taking the real exam. Always ask for testing modules so you can verify your knowledge at any point. Practice exams will help to boost your attitude – then the real thing isn’t quite as scary.
Many training companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to help you get your first job. The honest truth is that it’s not as hard as some people make out to secure a job – once you’re trained and certified; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.
However, what is relevant is to have CV and Interview advice and support though; additionally, we would recommend all students to update their CV right at the beginning of their training – don’t wait for when you’re ready to start work. You may not have got to the stage where you’ve qualified when you land your first junior support position; however this is not possible if interviewers don’t get sight of your CV. Normally you’ll get better results from a specialist independent regional employment service than you’ll get from a training company’s recruitment division, as they will understand the local industry and employment needs.
A common grievance of a number of training course providers is how hard people are prepared to study to get qualified, but how un-prepared that student is to get the role they’re trained for. Get out there and hustle – you might find it’s fun.