What might you expect the top of the range training organisations accredited by Microsoft to offer a student in the UK today? Undoubtedly, the most supreme Gold Partner Microsoft accredited programs, providing a selection of courses to lead you to a variety of careers in the IT workplace.

Try to discuss all the different permutations with somebody who is on familiar terms with the commercial needs of the market, and can influence your choice of the more likely roles to match your character.

Training must be customised to make the most of your skills and abilities. Consequently, once you’ve decided on the most fruitful career for you, your next requirement is the most suitable program that will get you into that job.

Many students come unstuck over one area of their training very rarely considered: The breakdown of the course materials before being physically delivered to you.

You may think it logical (when study may take one to three years to pass all the required exams,) for many training providers to send out one module at a time, as you complete each part. However:

What could you expect if you didn’t actually complete each element at the speed they required? Often the prescribed exam order doesn’t work as well as another different route may.

For maximum flexibility and safety, most students now choose to have all their training materials (which they’ve now paid for) couriered out in one package, all at the beginning. You can then decide at what speed and in which order you’d like to work.

A useful feature that several companies offer is a programme of Job Placement assistance. The service is put in place to help you find your first job in the industry. Ultimately it isn’t so complicated as you might think to secure your first job – as long as you’re correctly trained and certified; the growing UK skills shortage sees to that.

Help with your CV and interview techniques may be available (if not, see one of our sites for help). Make sure you update that dusty old CV straight away – not after you’ve qualified!

It’s possible that you won’t have even taken your exams when you land your first junior support job; although this is not possible unless your CV is with employers.

The most efficient companies to help get you placed are generally independent and specialised local recruitment services. As they will get paid by the employer when they’ve placed you, they’re perhaps more focused on results.

Do ensure you don’t spend hundreds of hours on your training and studies, and then just stop and imagine someone else is miraculously going to secure your first position. Take responsibility for yourself and get out there. Channel the same energy and enthusiasm into securing your first job as it took to pass the exams.

It’s likely that you’ve always enjoyed practical work – the ‘hands-on’ individual. If you’re anything like us, the trial of reading reference books and manuals can be just about bared when essential, but it’s not ideal. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if book-based learning really isn’t your style.

Long-term memory is enhanced when multiple senses are involved – educational experts have expounded on this for years now.

Learning is now available on CD and DVD discs, so everything is learned directly from your own PC. Using video-streaming, you can watch instructors demonstrating how to perform the required skill, with some practice time to follow – in an interactive lab.

Each company you’re contemplating should be able to show you a few samples of the type of training materials they provide. Make sure you encounter videos of instructor-led classes and a wide selection of interactive elements.

Go for CD and DVD ROM based physical training media where possible. You’re then protected from the variability of broadband quality and service.

Ensure all your accreditations are current and also valid commercially – don’t bother with courses that only give in-house certificates.

If the accreditation doesn’t feature a big-hitter like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA, then you’ll probably find it will have been a waste of time – because no-one will recognise it.

(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Hop over to CareerQualifications.co.uk/gcarqua.html or PC Repair Course.

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