Training for Networking Support - Update

Computer and network support technicians are constantly sought after in Great Britain, as organisations are becoming more reliant upon their knowledge and skills. Whereupon our society becomes growingly beholden to our PC's, we simultaneously inevitably become more reliant on the commercially qualified network engineers, who maintain those systems.

One thing you must always insist on is proper direct-access 24×7 support via dedicated instructors and mentors. Far too often we see trainers who only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later (but not weekends usually).

Avoid, like the plague, any organisations who use 'out-of-hours' call-centres - with your call-back scheduled for office hours. It's not a lot of help when you've got study issues and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.

Top training companies use multiple support centres from around the world. They use an online interactive interface to join them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, there is always help at hand, avoiding all the delays and problems.

Never make do with less than you need and deserve. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only way to go with computer-based training. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; but for most of us, we're at work while the support is live.

People attracted to this sort of work are often very practical, and won't enjoy sitting at a desk in class, and slogging through piles of books. If this could be you, go for more modern interactive training, where you can learn everything on-screen.

Our ability to remember is increased with an involvement of all our senses - educational experts have expounded on this for decades now.

Interactive full motion video with demonstrations and practice sessions will turn you off book-based study for ever more. And they're far more fun.

You'll definitely want a training material demonstration from your training provider. You should ask for instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and fully interactive skills-lab's.

Avoiding training that is delivered purely online is generally a good idea. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where offered, as you need to be able to use them whenever it's convenient for you - it's not wise to be held hostage to your internet connection always being 'up' and available.

An advisor that doesn't ask many questions - it's more than likely they're just a salesperson. If someone pushes specific products before looking at your personality and experience, then it's definitely the case.

Don't forget, if in the past you've acquired any previous certification, then you will often be able to pick-up at a different starting-point to someone new to the industry.

For students starting IT studies and exams as a new venture, it can be helpful to start out slowly, kicking off with some basic PC skills training first. This can be built into most training packages.

Every program under consideration really needs to work up to a properly recognised qualification at the finale - definitely not some 'in-house' plaque for your wall.

Only properly recognised accreditation from the likes of Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA and Cisco will be useful to a future employer.

(C) Jason Kendall. Look at LearningLolly.com for superb ideas. Network+ Training Courses or Comptia Networking Courses.