Searching for your first position in IT can be a little easier with a Job Placement Assistance facility. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it isn't unusual for their marketing department to make it sound harder than it is. In reality, the massive skills shortage in Great Britain is the reason you'll find a job.

Ideally you should have CV and Interview advice and support though; and we'd recommend any student to update their CV as soon as training commences - don't wait until you've graduated or passed any exams. You'll often find that you will get your first position whilst still on the course (sometimes when you've only just got going). If your CV doesn't show your latest training profile (and it isn't in the hands of someone with jobs to offer) then you won't even be considered! You'll normally experience quicker service from a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service than you'll get from a training company's recruitment division, as they'll know local industry and the area better.

A regular frustration for various training providers is how much students are prepared to work to pass exams, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the job they have qualified for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.

In 2009 both programs under-went up-grades, and new exams are actually in existence for them both. 'A+' exams that began using the number '600' (i.e. the 2006-2007 version) are now being phased out around the world. At the end of Aug 2010, the exams will retire in Britain. Up until then, individuals can sit either the '600' or the newer 700 exams in regional test-centres (namely 'Vue' & Prometric). Reason dictates that new students should take version 2009. The individual 'A+' 2009 examinations have become: 'CompTIA' A+ Essentials (examination 220/701) & CompTIA 'A+' Practical Application (examination 220-702.) As well as some more material on newer technologies, there are now two exams which cover components of all four of the preceding examinations. Even though the old 'A+' had four exams in the complete program, just two were required to get the qualification. Over the last four years, the industry has developed to the stage where all 4 examinations are actually considered necessary - hence the re-formatting into 2 required exams. A bridging exam has been created by 'CompTIA' for any person who have the older qualification. BR/003 is the reference number. Successfully passing the bridging examination will in most cases need further study, although this shouldn't be too much of a challenge for people who formerly studied all four. Plainly though the newer technology subjects must be studied.

The age-old way of teaching, using textbooks and whiteboards, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If you're nodding as you read this, find training programs which have a majority of interactive, multimedia parts. Recent studies into the way we learn shows that much more of what we learn in remembered when we receive multi-sensorial input, and we put into practice what we've been studying.

Learning is now available in the form of CD and DVD ROM's, so you can study at your own computer. Utilising the latest video technology, you can watch instructors demonstrating how it's all done, followed by your chance to practice - in a virtual lab environment. You must ensure that you see examples of the study materials provided by your chosen company. They have to utilise instructor-led video demonstrations with virtual practice-lab's.

You'll find that many companies will only provide online training only; and although this is okay the majority of the time, consider how you'll deal with it if your access to the internet is broken or you get slow speeds and down-time etc. A safer solution is the provision of physical CD or DVD discs which will not have these problems.

Home-Based CBT Computer Courses For Microsoft MCSA Tech Support >>