Training in PC Support

Computer and network support staff are ever more sought after in the United Kingdom, as organisations have come to depend on their technical advice and ability to fix and repair. Whereupon we’re all becoming massively more dependent on our PC’s, we simultaneously emerge as more dependent on the commercially qualified IT networkers, who keep the systems going.

Does job security really exist anymore? Here in the UK, with businesses changing their mind at alarming speeds, it seems increasingly unlikely. Security only exists now via a rapidly increasing market, driven forward by a shortage of trained workers. It’s this shortage that creates the appropriate setting for a secure market – a far better situation.

Recently, a British e-Skills study highlighted that more than 26 percent of IT jobs remain unfilled as an upshot of a chronic shortage of trained staff. Meaning that for each 4 job positions existing in Information Technology (IT), we’ve only got three properly trained pro’s to fulfil that role. This alarming reality underpins the requirement for more properly accredited computer professionals in the United Kingdom. Undoubtedly, now, more than ever, really is such a perfect time to consider retraining into the computing industry.

Since the UK computer sector presents so many great career possibilities for us – what questions do we need to raise and what factors are most important?

Far too many companies focus completely on the certification process, and forget why you’re doing this – which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the end in mind – don’t make the journey more important than where you want to get to. It’s not unheard of, in many cases, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training and then find yourself trapped for decades in a career that does nothing for you, as a consequence of not performing the correct level of soul-searching at the beginning.

It’s a good idea to understand what expectations industry may have of you. Which precise exams you’ll need and in what way you can gain some industry experience. Spend some time considering how far you’d like to progress your career as it will often force you to choose a particular set of exams. It’s worth seeking help from someone that knows the commercial realities of the sector you’ve chosen, and is able to give you ‘A day in the life of’ outline of the job being considered. This is incredibly important because you need to know if this change is right for you.

Full support is of the utmost importance – find a program providing 24×7 full access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also impede your ability to learn. Many only provide email support (too slow), and telephone support is usually to a call-centre who will just take down the issue and email it over to their technical team – who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you’re there), when it’s convenient to them. This is no good if you’re stuck with a particular problem and can only study at specific times.

Keep your eyes open for training schools that have multiple support offices around the globe in several time-zones. These should be integrated to provide a single interface together with 24×7 access, when it’s convenient for you, without any problems. Never make do with a lower level of service. 24×7 support is the only kind to make the grade with technical training. It’s possible you don’t intend to study late evenings; but for the majority of us however, we’re out at work at the time when most support is available.

The classroom style of learning we remember from school, using textbooks and whiteboards, is often a huge slog for most of us. If you’re nodding as you read this, look for learning programmes which feature interactive and multimedia modules. Research into the way we learn shows that memory is aided when we involve as many senses as possible, and we put into practice what we’ve been studying.

Fully interactive motion videos utilising video demo’s and practice lab’s beat books hands-down. And you’ll find them fun and interesting. All companies must be able to demonstrate a few examples of the materials provided for study. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and a wide selection of interactive elements.

It’s usually bad advice to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, make sure you get actual CD or DVD ROM’s.

Many men and women assume that the traditional school, college or university path is still the best way into IT. So why is commercial certification beginning to overtake it? With an ever-increasing technical demand on resources, the IT sector has been required to move to specialist courses only available through the vendors themselves – namely companies such as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA. This usually turns out to involve less time and financial outlay. They do this by focusing on the actual skills required (along with a relevant amount of background knowledge,) as opposed to spending months and years on the background ‘extras’ that computer Science Degrees can get bogged down in – to fill a three or four year course.

Think about if you were the employer – and you wanted someone who could provide a specific set of skills. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through loads of academic qualifications from several applicants, trying to establish what they know and which vocational skills they’ve acquired, or select a specialised number of commercial certifications that perfectly fit your needs, and make your short-list from that. You can then focus on how someone will fit into the team at interview – instead of having to work out if they can do the job.

It’s essential to have an accredited exam preparation programme as part of your training package. Due to the fact that many examination boards in IT tend to be American, it’s essential to understand how exam questions will be phrased and formatted. It’s not sufficient simply understanding random questions – they must be in an exam format that exactly replicates the real thing. It’s a good idea to ask for exam preparation tools in order to check your understanding at any point. Mock exams will help to boost your attitude – then you’re much more at ease with the real thing.

A service that many training companies provide is a Job Placement Assistance program. This is to assist your search for your first position. Don’t get caught up in this feature – it isn’t unusual for training companies to overstate it’s need. Ultimately, the massive skills shortage in Britain is why employers will be interested in you.

Nevertheless, don’t procrastinate and wait until you have qualified before updating your CV. Right at the beginning of your training, list what you’re working on and place it on jobsites! You might not even have passed your first exam when you will be offered your first junior support job; but this won’t be the case unless your CV is with employers. You’ll normally experience quicker service from a specialist independent regional employment service than any training company’s employment division, because they’ll know the area better.

Essentially, if you put as much hard work into finding a position as into training, you’re not likely to experience problems. Some men and women bizarrely spend hundreds of hours on their course materials and then just stop once qualified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.

Tagged with: Computers

Filed under: Computers

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