UK CompTIA a Plus Training – Thoughts
Saturday, December 26th, 2009
There are four specialist areas of training in a full CompTIA A+ program; you’re qualified as an achiever in A+ when you’ve passed the test for just two specialist areas. Because of this, it’s usual for colleges to limit themselves to 2 study areas. The truth is it’s necessary to have the information on each subject as industry will ask for an understanding of all four areas. You don’t have to complete all 4 certifications, but it seems common sense that you at least have a working knowledge of every area.
Once on the A+ training program you’ll become familiar with how to build, fix, repair and work in antistatic conditions. You’ll also cover fault finding and diagnostics, through both hands-on and remote access.
If your ambition is taking care of computer networks, add the excellent Network+ to your training package. Taking this course as well will prepare you to assist you greatly in the job market. You may also want to consider the route to networking via Microsoft, in the form of MCP’s, MCSA or the full MCSE.
Students will sometimes miss checking on something of absolutely vital importance – how their training provider divides up the physical training materials, and into how many separate packages.
Many think it logical (with a typical time scale of 1-3 years for a full commercial certification,) for many training providers to send out the courseware in stages, as you pass each element. However:
How would they react if you didn’t complete each section within the time limits imposed? And maybe you’ll find their order of completion doesn’t work as well as some other structure would for you.
For future safety and flexibility, it’s not unusual for students to make sure that every element of their training is posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. That means it’s down to you how fast or slow and in what order you’d like to take your exams.
We’re often asked why qualifications from colleges and universities are being replaced by more qualifications from the commercial sector?
The IT sector is of the opinion that to cover the necessary commercial skill-sets, certified accreditation from such organisations as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA is closer to the mark commercially – at a far reduced cost both money and time wise.
Many degrees, for instance, often get bogged down in too much background study – with a syllabus that’s far too wide. Students are then held back from understanding the specific essentials in enough depth.
When an employer is aware what areas they need covered, then they simply need to advertise for the exact skill-set required to meet that need. The syllabuses are all based on the same criteria and can’t change from one establishment to the next (in the way that degree courses can).
Some training providers supply a practical Job Placement Assistance service, to assist your search for your first position. Don’t get overly impressed with this service – it isn’t unusual for eager sales people to overplay it. At the end of the day, the still growing need for IT personnel in the UK is the reason you’ll find a job.
Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however – you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don’t wait until you’ve qualified.
It’s possible that you won’t have even taken your exams when you land your first junior support role; yet this can’t and won’t happen unless you’ve posted your CV on job sites.
You’ll normally experience quicker results from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than you will through a training course provider’s employment division, because they will understand the local industry and employment needs.
A common grievance for various course providers is how hard people are prepared to work to become certified, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the job they’ve trained for. Don’t give up when the best is yet to come.
If you’re like many of the students we talk to then you’re quite practically minded – the ‘hands-on’ personality type. If you’re like us, the world of book-reading and classrooms is something you’ll make yourself do if you have to, but you’d hate it. Consider interactive, multimedia study if books just don’t do it for you.
Learning psychology studies show that much more of what we learn in remembered when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get physically involved with the study process.
Start a study-program in which you’re provided with an array of CD and DVD based materials – you’ll start with videos of instructor demonstrations, with the facility to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions.
Every company that you look at should be able to show you a few examples of the materials provided for study. You should hope for instructor-led videos and a wide selection of interactive elements.
Avoid training that is purely online. Physical CD or DVD ROM materials are preferable where offered, so you can use them wherever and whenever you want – it’s not wise to be held hostage to a good broadband connection all the time.
(C) Jason Kendall. Navigate to LearningLolly.com for great information. www.it-training-com.co.uk or www.learninglolly.com.
