By Jason Kendall

Should you be looking to gain acknowledged certifications at the MCSA study level, the latest courses around are based on CD and DVD ROM's using interactive training. So if you have a certain amount of knowledge but are ready to polish up your CV, or are new to network support, you'll discover technologically advanced MCSA training tracks to cater for you. To become certified at the MCSA level there are four MCP's (Microsoft Certified Professional exams) needed to be passed. If you're joining the industry for the first time, it's likely you'll have to improve your skill-set prior to studying for all four MCP's. Search for a training organisation with people who will find the ideal program for you and can match a course start point to your current skill set.

Does job security really exist anywhere now? In the UK for example, where industry can change its mind on a whim, it certainly appears not. Where there are increasing skills deficits and escalating demand though, we generally reveal a fresh type of market-security; driven by conditions of continuous growth, companies are struggling to hire enough staff.

Offering the computing business for example, a recent e-Skills analysis showed a skills shortage in the United Kingdom in excess of 26 percent. Showing that for each 4 job positions that exist across Information Technology (IT), we've only got three properly trained pro's to fill that need. This one reality alone is the backbone of why the UK desperately needs considerably more trainees to join the IT industry. Without a doubt, now, more than ever, really is a critical time to train for the IT industry.

Remember: a actual training program or an accreditation is not the ultimate goal; the job or career that you want is. Too many training companies place too much importance on the piece of paper. It's quite usual, in some situations, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training but end up spending 10 or 20 years in a career that does nothing for you, simply because you did it without the correct research at the outset.

It's well worth a long chat to see what expectations industry may have of you. What precise accreditations you'll be required to have and how you'll build your experience level. Spend some time thinking about how far you wish to progress your career as it may control your selection of certifications. Sense dictates that you take guidance from an experienced advisor before you begin a particular learning programme, so there's no doubt that a program provides the skills for the job being sought.

Many people question why traditional academic studies are being replaced by more commercial certificates? Accreditation-based training (as it's known in the industry) is most often much more specialised. Industry has become aware that this level of specialised understanding is necessary to service the demands of an increasingly more technical commercial environment. Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA are the key players in this arena. Essentially, only that which is required is learned. It's not quite as straightforward as that, but the most important function is always to concentrate on the fundamentally important skill-sets (with some necessary background) - without going into too much detail in every other area (as academia often does).

The bottom line is: Accredited IT qualifications give employers exactly what they're looking for - the title is a complete giveaway: as an example - I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network'. Consequently employers can look at their needs and which qualifications are required to perform the job.

Trainees looking at this market are often very practical, and don't really enjoy classrooms, and poring through books and manuals. If this is putting you off studying, opt for more involving, interactive learning materials, where you can learn everything on-screen. Our ability to remember is increased when all our senses are brought into the mix - experts have been clear on this for as long as we can remember.

The latest audio-visual interactive programs with demonstrations and practice sessions will turn you off book-based study for ever more. And they're a lot more fun to do. You'll definitely want a training material demonstration from the school that you're considering. The materials should incorporate demo's from instructors, slideshows and interactive labs where you get to practice.

Purely on-line training should be avoided. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where possible, so that you have access at all times - it's not wise to be held hostage to your internet connection always being 'up' and available.

Technology and IT is amongst the most exciting and ground-breaking industries you could be involved with. Being up close and personal with technology is to be a part of the massive changes affecting everyone who lives in the 21st century. We're at the dawn of beginning to understand how this will truly impact our way of life. The way we interact with the world will be inordinately affected by technology and the web.

And it's worth remembering that income in the IT sector in the United Kingdom is much higher than in other market sectors, so you will most likely receive significantly more with professional IT knowledge, than you could reasonably hope to achieve elsewhere. The need for professionally qualified and skilled IT workers is assured for the significant future, because of the ongoing growth in IT dependency in commerce and the huge skills gap that remains.

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