A lot of certification companies are still using the slightly musty old method of in-centre classes. Usually touted as a major benefit, after discussion with someone who has first-hand experience, don't be surprised to be lectured on several if not all of these:

- Lots of centre visits - quite often hundreds of miles each and every time.

- If you work for a living, then weekday only classes represent a difficulty in getting time off. Often you're facing at least 2, if not 3 days in a row.

- Most of us discover 4 weeks holiday each year doesn't go very far. Knock off at least half of this for study events and you'll experience even more problems.

- Training classes normally are over-subscribed, giving us the only option of a slot that doesn't really suit.

- Class pace - workshops typically have students of varying skill, so tension can run high between students with more background knowledge and the ones who need a little longer.

- And let's not forget the added cost of driving or taking public transport and several days bed and breakfast either. This may well run to 00's or even 000's extra. Take some time to add it all up - you'll be (unpleasantly) surprised.

- Don't risk the possibility of letting yourself be ignored for a lift up the ladder or salary hikes because your employer knows you're retraining.

- Posing questions in a class full of students can make any one of us a little uncomfortable. Would you admit that you've occasionally avoided posing a question just because you didn't want to appear stupid?

- Working and living away - many students need to live or work away for certain parts of the program. Classes are very difficult then, unfortunately the money has already changed hands in your initial payment.

The perfect situation is by viewing a filmed lesson - enabling you to learn any time of the day that suits. If anything comes up, make use of the 24x7 support (that should've been packaged with any technical type of training.) You should remember, if your PC is a laptop, you could study in breaks at work. It really doesn't matter how many times you want to re-do a section, filmed teachers aren't ever likely to rush you! And don't forget, in this situation, there's no need to take notes. Everything is there for you when you need it. Whilst this won't stop any normal learning difficulties, it definitely reduces stress and eases things. You also have reduced hassle, costs and travel.

Commercially accredited qualifications are now, very visibly, already replacing the traditional routes into the IT industry - but why is this? With the costs of academic degree's increasing year on year, together with the industry's general opinion that key company training most often has much more commercial relevance, we've seen a big surge in CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA authorised training courses that provide key skills to an employee for considerably less. Essentially, the learning just focuses on what's actually required. Actually, it's not quite as pared down as that, but principally the objective has to be to master the precisely demanded skill-sets (along with a certain amount of crucial background) - without overdoing the detail in every other area (as degree courses are known to do).

Just as the old advertisement said: 'It does what it says on the tin'. All an employer has to do is know what they need doing, and then match up the appropriate exam numbers as a requirement. They'll know then that all applicants can do what they need.

A competent and professional consultant (as opposed to a salesman) will ask questions and seek to comprehend your current situation. This is paramount to calculating your starting level of study. Sometimes, the level to start at for a student with some experience will be hugely dissimilar to someone without. Always consider starting with user-skills and software training first. Starting there can make your learning curve a little less steep.

A service that many training companies provide is a programme of Job Placement assistance. This is to help you get your first commercial position. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it isn't unusual for companies marketing departments to make too much of it. In reality, the still growing need for IT personnel in Great Britain is the reason you'll find a job.

One important thing though, don't leave it until you have qualified before getting your CV updated. As soon as you start studying, list what you're working on and place it on jobsites! A good number of junior support roles are offered to people who're still on their course and have still to get qualified. This will at the very least get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile. Generally, a specialist independent regional employment agency (who will, of course, be keen to place you to receive their commission) will perform better than any recruitment division from a training organisation. It also stands to reason that they'll be familiar with local industry and the area better.

A common frustration of some course providers is how hard students are focused on studying to get qualified, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the position they have trained for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.

For many people checking out getting into I.T. as a profession, basic-networking could be the starting place. Absolutely nothing else will make sense until you have an understanding of how PC's run and connect to one another. Presuming a basic level of PC user skills, (see the general IT Training pages if not,) the starting point is almost always CompTIA A+ & Network+ . Examples of these are covered within the CompTIA section on this website.

Moving on you'll either follow the Microsoft 'MCSE' or 'MCSA' path if you are keen on software, or the 'Cisco' CCNA or CCNP track if you are thinking about 'hardware'. Even so, it should be noted that a good knowledge of Microsoft networks is virtually essential for most network-environments, mainly because of Microsoft's dominance in this market. As before, you will see information regarding each accreditation on the Cisco and Microsoft areas of the site.

On the other hand, you may choose to keep going on the 'ventor-neutral' path with further CompTIA accreditation (for example Linux+ , Server+ & Security+ ) or maybe try your hand at the wire-less (Wi-Fi) area of things by taking the 'CWNP'/'CWNA'.

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