There are four specialist areas of training in a full CompTIA A+ program; you’re qualified as an achiever in A+ when you’ve passed the test for just two specialist areas. Because of this, it’s usual for colleges to limit themselves to 2 study areas. The truth is it’s necessary to have the information on each subject as industry will ask for an understanding of all four areas. You don’t have to complete all 4 certifications, but it seems common sense that you at least have a working knowledge of every area.
Once on the A+ training program you’ll become familiar with how to build, fix, repair and work in antistatic conditions. You’ll also cover fault finding and diagnostics, through both hands-on and remote access.
If you would like to be a man or woman who works for a larger company – fixing and supporting networks, build on A+ with Network+, or consider an MCSA or MCSE with Microsoft to give you a wider knowledge of how networks work.
Students will sometimes miss checking on something of absolutely vital importance – how their training provider divides up the physical training materials, and into how many separate packages.
Many think it logical (with a typical time scale of 1-3 years for a full commercial certification,) for many training providers to send out the courseware in stages, as you pass each element. However:
It’s not unusual for trainees to realise that their training company’s standard order of study isn’t ideal for them. You may find that a slightly different order suits them better. And what if you don’t get to the end inside of the expected timescales?
To be in the best situation you would have all the training materials packed off to you immediately; the whole caboodle! This prevents any future issues from rising that will affect the reaching of your goals.
Commercial qualifications are now, undoubtedly, starting to replace the traditional academic paths into the industry – so why has this come about?
Vendor-based training (in industry terminology) is most often much more specialised. Industry is aware that this level of specialised understanding is vital to meet the requirements of an increasingly more technical workplace. Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA dominate in this arena.
Of course, an appropriate portion of associated knowledge must be covered, but precise specifics in the particular job function gives a vendor educated student a real head start.
It’s rather like the advert: ‘It does what it says on the label’. All an employer has to do is know what they need doing, and then match up the appropriate exam numbers as a requirement. That way they can be sure they’re interviewing applicants who can do the job.
A service offered by some training providers is a Job Placement Assistance program. It’s intention is to help you find your first job in the industry. However sometimes there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, for it is genuinely quite straightforward for any focused and well taught person to get a job in the IT industry – because there’s a great need for qualified personnel.
Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however – you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don’t wait until you’ve qualified.
It’s possible that you won’t have even taken your exams when you land your first junior support role; yet this can’t and won’t happen unless you’ve posted your CV on job sites.
The top companies to get you a new position are most often independent and specialised local recruitment services. Because they make their money when they’ve found you a job, they have the necessary incentive to try that bit harder.
Please be sure that you don’t conscientiously work through your course materials, and then just stop and leave it up to everyone else to find you a job. Get off your backside and start looking for yourself. Put as much energy and enthusiasm into landing your new role as you did to get trained.
If you’re like many of the students we talk to then you’re quite practically minded – the ‘hands-on’ personality type. If you’re like us, the world of book-reading and classrooms is something you’ll make yourself do if you have to, but you’d hate it. Consider interactive, multimedia study if books just don’t do it for you.
Our ability to remember is increased when all our senses are brought into the mix – experts have been clear on this for many years.
Start a study-program in which you’re provided with an array of CD and DVD based materials – you’ll start with videos of instructor demonstrations, with the facility to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions.
It’s imperative to see some example materials from your chosen company. It’s essential they incorporate video demo’s and interactive elements such as practice lab’s.
Seek out CD and DVD ROM based physical training media wherever available. Thus avoiding all the issues associated with the variability of broadband quality and service.
(C) Jason Kendall. Pop over to LearningLolly.com for great career advice. IT Training Company or A+ Training.
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