A+ consists of four exams and sections to study, but your only requirement is to achieve certification in two to qualify for your A+. This is why many educational establishments simply offer two. But giving you all four options will provide you with a more confident perspective of it all, which you’ll come to realise is vital in industry.

In addition to learning about building and fixing computers, trainees on A+ courses will be shown how to work in antistatic conditions, as well as diagnostics, fault-finding and remote access.

If you would like to be the kind of individual who works in a multi-faceted environment – supporting, fixing and maintaining networks, you’ll need to add CompTIA Network+, or consider an MCSA or MCSE with Microsoft in order to have a deeper understanding of the way networks work.

Of all the important things to consider, one of the most essential is always 24×7 round-the-clock support through dedicated instructors and mentors. It’s an all too common story to find providers that only seem to want to help while they’re in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends.

Beware of institutions which use call-centres ‘out-of-hours’ – with the call-back coming in during office hours. This is no use if you’re stuck and want support there and then.

As long as you look hard, you will find professional companies that give students online support at all times – at any time of day or night.

Don’t accept second best when it comes to your support. The majority of trainees who give up, would have had a different experience if they’d got the right support package in the first place.

We’re often asked why traditional academic studies are now falling behind more commercial qualifications?

Key company training (as it’s known in the industry) is most often much more specialised. Industry has realised that specialisation is necessary to handle a technically advancing world. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA are the dominant players.

The training is effectively done through concentrating on the skills that are really needed (together with a proportionate degree of related knowledge,) rather than trawling through all the background detail and ‘fluff’ that degree courses can get bogged down in (to fill up a syllabus or course).

When it comes down to the nitty-gritty: Recognised IT certifications let employers know exactly what you’re capable of – it says what you do in the title: as an example – I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network’. Therefore an employer can identify exactly what they need and what certifications are required to fulfil that.

All programs you’re considering has to build towards a nationally (or globally) recognised certification at the end – not a useless ‘in-house’ plaque for your wall.

Unless the accreditation comes from a company like Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA or Cisco, then chances are it won’t be commercially viable – as no-one will have heard of it.

It’s essential to have accredited simulation materials and an exam preparation system as part of your training package.

Often students can be thrown off course by practising exam questions that aren’t recognised by official boards. Often, the phraseology is startlingly different and you need to be ready for this.

It’s a good idea to have some simulated exam questions so you can check your understanding at any point. Practice exams will help to boost your attitude – then the real thing isn’t quite as scary.

(C) Jason Kendall. Navigate to www.dreamweavercs4training.co.uk for great information on Computer Training & Web Design Courses.