Only one in ten people in the United Kingdom are enjoying job satisfaction. Of course, most will take no action. You've reached this paragraph, which ...
Only one in ten people in the United Kingdom are enjoying job satisfaction. Of course,
most will take no action. You've reached this paragraph, which surely tells us that you know it's time to make a change.
When looking at training, it's crucial that you first make a list of your expectations from the position you'd like to train for. It's important to discover if the grass actually is greener before you put a lot of energy into taking a new turn. Prudence suggests looking at the end goal first, to make an informed decision:
* Do you want to interact with other people? If so, do you want a team or are you hoping to meet new people? Alternatively, do you like to deal with your responsibilities alone?
* The banks and building sector are facing difficulties these days, so think carefully about the sector that will answer your needs?
* Having completed your retraining, would you like your new abilities to get you jobs for the rest of your working life?
* Is it important for your training course to be in an industry where as far as you can see you'll have a job until retirement?
The biggest industry in the United Kingdom that can satisfy a trainee's demands is the computer industry, particularly IT. There's a need for more knowledgeable technicians in the industry, just check out any jobs website and you will find them yourself. However, it's not all techie people looking at their computerscreens every day - there are many more roles than that. Most of workers in the industry are ordinary people, but they enjoy their work and get well paid.
Many trainers will only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later; not many go late into the evening (after 8-9pm) or cover weekends properly. Never purchase training courses that only support trainees via a call-centre messaging service after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Companies will always try to hide the importance of this issue. The simple fact of the matter is - you need support when you need support - not as-and-when it's suitable for their staff.
The very best programs utilise an online access 24x7 package pulling in several support offices from around the world. You'll have an interface that seamlessly selects the best facility available any time of the day or night: Support when it's needed. Never settle for less than this. Support round-the-clock is the only kind that ever makes the grade with technical training. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; usually though, we're out at work when traditional support if offered.
Starting with the idea that we need to locate the employment that excites us first, before we can even mull over which training course ticks the right boxes, how do we know the right direction? Reading lists of IT career possibilities is just a waste of time. Surely, most of us have no idea what our good friends do at work - so what chance do we have in understanding the intricacies of any specific IT role. Arriving at any kind of right answer only comes through a meticulous study across many changing key points:
* The kind of individual you consider yourself to be - which things you enjoy doing, and on the other side of the coin - what don't you like doing.
* Is your focus to get certified because of a specific reason - for instance, is it your goal to work based from home (self-employment possibly?)?
* Is your income higher on your list of priorities than anything else.
* Some students don't fully understand the level of commitment expected to achieve their goals.
* You need to take in what is different for the myriad of training options.
In all honesty, it's obvious that the only real way to research these issues tends to be through a good talk with someone who has a background in Information Technology (as well as the commercial needs and requirements.)
We're regularly asked to explain why traditional academic studies are being overtaken by more commercial certifications? With university education costs spiralling out of control, along with the industry's increasing awareness that vendor-based training is closer to the mark commercially, we have seen a dramatic increase in Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA certified training paths that educate students at a fraction of the cost and time involved. Essentially, only required knowledge is taught. It's not quite as straightforward as that, but the most important function is always to master the precisely demanded skill-sets (including a degree of required background) - without trying to cram in all sorts of other things (as universities often do).
Just as the old advertisement said: 'It does what it says on the label'. Employers simply need to know what they're looking for, and then match up the appropriate exam numbers as a requirement. That way they can be sure they're interviewing applicants who can do the job.
Incorporating exams with the course fee then including an exam guarantee is common for many training course providers. But let's examine why they really do it:
Everybody's aware that they're still footing the bill for it - obviously it has been inserted into the overall figure from the training provider. It's definitely not free (although some people will believe anything the marketing companies think up these days!) People who enter their exams one by one, paying for them just before taking them are much better placed to get through first time. They are thoughtful of what they've paid and prepare more appropriately to ensure they are ready.
Isn't it in your interests to not pay up-front, but at the time, instead of paying a premium to a college, and to do it locally - rather than in some remote centre? A great deal of money is made by many training colleges that get money upfront for exam fees. Many students don't take them for one reason or another but the company keeps the money. Amazingly, there are companies around who depend on students not taking their exams - as that's very profitable for them. Additionally, many exam guarantees are worthless. The majority of organisations won't pay for you to re-take until you're able to demonstrate an excellent mock pass rate.
Exams taken at local centres are approximately 112 pounds in Britain at the time of writing. What's the point of paying huge 'Exam Guarantee' costs (often hidden in the cost) - when a quality course, support and study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.
