If we didn't have a continuous flood of trained PC and network support personnel, commerce in the United Kingdom (along with most other places) would be likely to run into problems. Consequently, there's a constantly increasing requirement for technicians to support both users and the systems they work with. Our desire for such skilled and qualified members of the workforce is growing at an impressive rate, as everywhere we work becomes more and more dependent upon technology.

If we didn't have a continuous flood of trained PC and network support personnel, commerce in the United Kingdom (along with most other places) would be likely to run into problems. Consequently, there's a constantly increasing requirement for technicians to support both users and the systems they work with. Our desire for such skilled and qualified members of the workforce is growing at an impressive rate, as everywhere we work becomes more and more dependent upon technology.

With all the options available, does it really shock us that a large percentage of newcomers to the industry don't really understand the best career path they could be successful with.

Reading a list of IT job-titles is no use whatsoever. Most of us have no idea what our next-door neighbours do at work each day - so what chance do we have in understanding the complexities of a new IT role.

To attack this, a discussion is necessary, covering many different aspects:

* What hobbies you're involved with in your spare-time - as they can highlight what possibilities will satisfy you.

* Are you aiming to realise a closely held aspiration - for instance, working from home sometime soon?

* Where do you stand on salary vs job satisfaction?

* Often, trainees don't consider the work expected to achieve their goals.

* Our advice is to think deeply about the amount of time and effort you're going to give to your training.

In all honesty, the only way to seek advice on these issues tends to be through a good talk with an advisor or professional that has a background in IT (and more importantly it's commercial requirements.)

The best type of training course package will undoubtedly also include fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages.

Some students can get thrown by practicing questions for their exams that don't come from official sources. It's not uncommon that the phraseology is unfamiliar and you need to be ready for this.

As you can imagine, it is vital to know that you've thoroughly prepared for your actual certification exam prior to doing it. Rehearsing mock-up tests adds to your knowledge bank and will save a lot of money on thwarted exam entries.

Get rid of a salesperson who just tells you what course you should do without a thorough investigation to assess your abilities as well as level of experience. Make sure they can draw from a expansive product range so they're able to give you a program that suits you..

Where you have a strong background, or even a touch of work-based experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then obviously the level you'll need to start at will be very different from a trainee who has no experience.

Starting with a foundation module first can be the best way to get up and running on your computer studies, but depends on your skill level.

A sneaky way that training companies make more money is through up-front charges for exams and offering an exam guarantee. It looks impressive, until you think it through:

You'll be charged for it one way or another. It's definitely not free - it's simply been shoe-horned into the price as a whole.

The honest truth is that when trainees fund each examination, one after the other, there's a much better chance they'll pass first time - as they'll be conscious of their investment in themselves and so will prepare more thoroughly.

Go for the best offer you can find at the appropriate time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You'll then be able to select where you do your exams - which means you can stay local.

A lot of so-called credible training providers make huge profits by getting in the money for all the exam fees up-front and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do.

It's also worth noting that 'Exam Guarantees' often aren't worth the paper they're written on. Most companies won't pay for re-takes until you have demonstrated conclusively that you won't fail again.

Prometric and VUE exams are currently clocking in at an average of 112 pounds in this country. What's the point of paying huge 'Exam Guarantee' costs (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.

We're often asked why traditional academic studies are now falling behind more commercially accredited qualifications?

As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, industry has had to move to specific, honed-in training that can only be obtained from the actual vendors - for example companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. Often this saves time and money for the student.

Clearly, an appropriate degree of associated information has to be learned, but core specialisation in the areas needed gives a commercially trained person a distinct advantage.

If an employer understands what they're looking for, then they just need to look for someone with a specific qualification. Syllabuses are set to exacting standards and aren't allowed to deviate (as academic syllabuses often do).