There are a total of 4 specialist training sectors in the overall A+ programme, of which 2 passes are needed for competency in A+. We would advise however that only studying two out of the 4 subjects available is likely to leave your knowledge base somewhat light. At least learn about all four – you’ll be glad you did when it comes to interview time.
CompTIA A+ without additional courses will allow you to fix and repair computers and Macs; ones which are usually not part of a network – which means the home or small business market.
If you feel it appropriate to add Network+ training, you will additionally be able to assist with or manage networks of computers, allowing you to move further up the career path.
A number of trainees presume that the school and FE college system is the way they should go. So why then are commercially accredited qualifications slowly and steadily replacing it?
With the costs of academic degree’s climbing ever higher, plus the industry’s recognition that accreditation-based training is often far more commercially relevant, we’ve seen a great increase in Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA accredited training programmes that supply key solutions to a student for much less time and money.
They do this through focusing on the actual skills required (along with a relevant amount of associated knowledge,) rather than trawling through all the background detail and ‘fluff’ that degree courses often do (to fill up a syllabus or course).
The crux of the matter is this: Accredited IT qualifications provide exactly what an employer needs – everything they need to know is in the title: i.e. I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network’. Therefore companies can look at the particular needs they have and what certifications are required to fulfil that.
The world of information technology is one of the most stimulating and innovative industries that you can get into right now. To be dealing with leading-edge technology means you’re a part of the huge progress that will affect us all over the next generation.
We’ve barely started to get a feel for how technology will define our world. Computers and the Internet will significantly transform how we regard and interact with the world around us over the coming decades.
Should lifestyle be up there on your list of priorities, then you will appreciate the fact that the income on average of the majority of IT staff is significantly greater than with other market sectors.
Experts agree that there’s a great country-wide demand for trained and qualified IT technicians. In addition, with the marketplace continuing to expand, it is likely this will be the case for the significant future.
Far too many companies only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and completely miss why you’re doing this – which is a commercial career or job. You should always begin with where you want to get to – don’t make the vehicle more important than the destination.
It’s not unheard of, in many cases, to get a great deal of enjoyment from a year of study and then spend 20 miserable years in a job you hate, entirely because you stumbled into it without some quality research when it was needed – at the start.
Spend some time thinking about how much you want to earn and what level of ambition fits you. This can often control what accreditations will be expected and how much effort you’ll have to give in return.
All students are advised to chat with an experienced industry advisor before they embark on a learning path. This is required to ensure it contains the relevant skills for the career that is sought.
Ignore any salesperson that pushes one particular program without performing a ‘fact-find’ to gain understanding of your current abilities plus your experience level. Ensure that they have a large stable of training programs so they’re actually equipped to provide you with what’s right for you.
Where you have a strong background, or maybe some work-based experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it’s likely your starting level will vary from someone with no background whatsoever.
Always consider starting with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. This can often make your learning curve a a little easier.
(C) Jason Kendall. Try LearningLolly.com for clear ideas. Comptia Certification or www.learninglolly.com.