CompTIA A + has a total of two exams and areas of study, and you have to achieve certification in both to qualify for your A+. Once you start your A+ training course you'll be taught how to build computers and fix them, and work in antistatic conditions. Diagnostic techniques and fault finding are also on the syllabus, as is remote access. If your ambition is taking care of computer networks, you'll need to add CompTIA Network+ to your training package. This will enable you to get a higher paid position. You may also want to consider the Microsoft networking qualifications (MCP, MCSA and MCSE).

Coming across job security these days is incredibly rare. Businesses can drop us out of the workforce at the drop of a hat - whenever it suits. In times of rising skills deficits and escalating demand of course, we almost always find a newly emerging type of security in the marketplace; where, fuelled by the constant growth conditions, organisations just can't get enough staff.

The Information Technology (IT) skills-gap throughout the country is standing at just over 26 percent, as noted by the latest e-Skills study. Therefore, for every four jobs that exist across computing, businesses can only source certified professionals for three of the four. Achieving in-depth commercial IT certification is as a result a fast-track to achieve a long-lasting and gratifying profession. For sure, it really is a fabulous time to join the computer industry.

Charging for exams up-front then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status is a common method with many training course providers. Consider the facts:

We all know that we're still footing the bill for it - it's obviously already been included in the gross price invoiced by the course provider. It's certainly not free (although some people will believe anything the marketing companies think up these days!) Evidence shows that if students pay for each examination, one at a time, they will be much more likely to pass every time - since they are conscious of their payment and so will prepare more thoroughly.

Sit the exam somewhere local and find the best exam deal or offer available then. A great deal of money is made by many training colleges who get money for exam fees in advance. A number of students don't take them for various reasons and so the company is quids-in. Surprising as it sounds, there are companies around who actually bank on it - as that's how they make a lot of their profit. You should fully understand that re-takes with companies with an 'Exam Guarantee' are tightly controlled. They will insist that you take pre-tests first until you've demonstrated an excellent ability to pass.

Exams taken at local centres are currently clocking in at an average of 112 pounds in Great Britain. What's the point of paying huge fees for 'exam guarantees' (usually wrapped up in the course package price) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and exam preparation systems and a dose of commitment and effort are what's required.

A service provided by many trainers is a programme of Job Placement assistance. This is to assist your search for your first position. Because of the massive need for more IT skills in Britain at the moment, it's not too important to become overly impressed with this service however. It isn't such a complex operation to land your first job as long as you're correctly trained and certified.

Advice and support about getting interviews and your CV may be available (if it isn't, consult one of our sites). It's essential that you work on your old CV right away - don't wait until you've finished your exams! It can happen that you haven't even got to the exam time when you will get your initial junior support position; yet this won't be the case if interviewers don't get sight of your CV. If it's important to you to find work near your home, then you'll probably find that a local (but specialised) recruitment consultancy could work much better for you than the trainer's recruitment division, due to the fact that they're going to be familiar with the local job scene.

Just make sure you don't put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, just to give up and leave it up to everyone else to sort out your employment. Stand up for yourself and start looking for yourself. Put as much energy and enthusiasm into getting your first job as it took to get qualified.

Speak with a expert consultant and they can normally tell you many horror stories of salespeople ripping-off unsuspecting students. Ensure you only ever work with a skilled professional that asks some in-depth questions to find out what's appropriate to you - not for their paycheque! Dig until you find an ideal starting-point that fits you. If you have a strong background, or maybe some work-based experience (possibly even some previous certification?) then it's more than likely the point from which you begin your studies will vary from someone who is just starting out. Commencing with a foundation program first will sometimes be the most effective way to start into your computer programme, but really depends on your level of familiarity with computers.

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