It is vital that you know what objectives you're hoping to accomplish if you are planning to embark on an IT training program. Do you have work in mind that calls for specific PC literacy skills, or do you just would like to know the way to surf the internet more extensively? Possibly its a lot more, and you're planning to build a brand new vocation as an I.T. technician.

Exactly where you wish to end up must be the very first consideration. When you have decided on your goals, it is quite easy to determine the training that should meet all of your required aims. This valuable technique also saves you money and time, and means you are not wasting effort on inappropriate things.

There are several different employment sectors for IT experts: Programming (which includes Software-Development), Networking (including Security & Support), Web-Design (both technical & creative) and Databases (including both Administration & Development). Every IT classification has it's own list of proficiency specifications, along with related accreditations at various ability levels. The choice might appear a bit mind-boggling to anyone who's new to IT. Some parts are suited to some personalities more than others, and different training methods can benefit particular individuals too. All of these items can be clarified by an industry advisor.

You will get the opportunity to learn more about the various IT careers and training routes from dedicated web-pages on this website. Alternatively, you can get our complimentary Lollypedia E-Book and then ask to speak to one of our expert advisors.

Those who merely want to get a good knowledge of how to use your laptop or computer for simple operations, the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence is the right course for you. The "ECDL" will educate you on how to use the basic functions of Microsoft 'Windows', - the actual Operating System for virtually all PCs. You can expect to become familiar with how to log-in to the net, and how to get on to and find your way around web-sites and handle emails. This training course also introduces you to word-processing, spreadsheets and databases.

In order to increase your skill-set for career-related reasons, you might choose to take some more professional training. The most popular of these is more advanced training in Microsoft 'Office'. The key certifications are the Microsoft 'Office Specialist' ('MOS') or the Microsoft 'Certified Application Specialist' (MCAS.) MOS has been about for several years and features Office 2003 & XP, which is still perfectly well used commercially. 'MCAS' is based around Office 2007 and Vista, so obviously carries better longevity. Each Ms Office application is examined with both qualifications, namely - "Word" (word-processing), 'Excel' (spreadsheets), 'Access' (data-bases) & PowerPoint (presentations.) These qualifications will demonstrate to a company that you're effectively qualified to utilise these applications to their maximum extent.

Its quite probable if you're considering getting in to I.T. from a different profession you will need to commence your training program someplace around these stages. Where exactly will depend on the skill-sets you have now. For much more advanced courses it's a good idea to talk your plans through with an advisor who has IT experience. Indeed, if you're considering a new career, it's best to have this talk before you decide to attempt any certification - to ensure that you're on the correct track from the beginning. Trainees who don't schedule where they are going from the beginning often end up throwing away a lot of time and money - which might have been prevented with a very simple 30 minute chat.

Taking things a stage further again, you could look into the first level of Professional certification: 'User' and Systems-support. To support workers using computer systems at work, you will have to have a technical accreditation like the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician. A training course of this level usually requires roughly a hundred hrs of learning time.

Next, we get into the realms of full professional IT certification. CompTIA offers the most commonly recognised entry to industry exams (namely 'A+' and N+) for networking, hardware support and security. Training will include hard-ware and network installation at a basic level, and also aspects of support, security and administration. Training time is normally estimated at about two hundred to two hundred and fifty hrs to cover both courses, which is often realistically done in 6 months on a part time basis.

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