Nice One! Finding this article proves you must be wondering about where you’re going, and if training for a new career’s in your mind then you’ve already got further than most. Can you believe that hardly any of us would say we are contented at work – yet the vast majority of us will do absolutely nothing about it. Why not be different and do something – you have the rest of your life to enjoy it.
When considering retraining, it’s important that you first make a list of what you DO want and DON’T want from the job you would like to get. Be sure that you would be more satisfied before you put a lot of energy into taking a new turn. We recommend looking at the whole story first, to steer clear of regrets:
* Do you enjoy a busy working environment? Are you better with new people or those you know well? Maybe you like to deal with tasks that you can get on with on your own?
* Banking and building are not coping well today, so which sector would suit you best?
* Is it important that this should be the last time you will need more qualifications?
* Are you happy that the training program you’ve chosen will make you employable, and have the ability to allow you to work up to retirement age?
When listing your options, it’s relevant that you don’t overlook IT – it’s common knowledge that it is one of the few growth sectors. It’s not all nerdy people looking at computer screens the whole time – naturally some IT jobs demand that, but the majority of roles are filled with Joe averages who get on very well.
Look at the following facts in detail if you think the marketing blurb about an ‘Exam Guarantee’ sounds great value:
You’re paying for it ultimately. One thing’s for sure – it isn’t free – they’ve simply charged more for the whole training package.
Should you seriously need to pass first time, then you should pay for each exam as you go, focus on it intently and apply yourself as required.
Hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the appropriate time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You’ll also be able to choose where to do your exams – so you can find somewhere local.
Including money in your training package for exams (plus interest – if you’re financing your study) is a false economy. It’s not your job to boost the training company’s account with extra money of yours only to please their Bank Manager! Many will hope you will never make it to exams – so they don’t need to pay for them.
You should fully understand that re-takes with organisations who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee’ are monitored with tight restrictions. They’ll insist that you take mock exams first to make sure they think you’re going to pass.
Exams taken at VUE and Prometric centres are currently clocking in at an average of 112 pounds in the UK. Why pay exorbitant charges for ‘Exam Guarantees’ (most often hidden in the package) – when the best course materials, the right level of support and exam preparation systems and a dose of commitment and effort are what’s required.
The old fashioned style of teaching, utilising reference manuals and books, is often a huge slog for most of us. If this describes you, dig around for more practical courses that are multimedia based.
We see a huge improvement in memory retention when we use multiple senses – this has been an accepted fact in expert circles for decades now.
The latest home-based training features interactive CD and DVD ROM’s. Instructor-led tutorials will mean you’ll take everything in through the expert demonstrations. Then it’s time to test your knowledge by practicing and interacting with the software.
You must ensure that you see some example materials from your chosen company. It’s essential they incorporate video demo’s and interactive elements such as practice lab’s.
You should avoid purely online training. Physical CD or DVD ROM materials are preferable where available, so that you have access at all times – it’s not wise to be held hostage to a good broadband connection all the time.
When did you last consider the security of your job? For the majority of us, this issue only becomes a talking point when something dramatic happens to shake us. But in today’s marketplace, the lesson often learned too late is that job security doesn’t really exist anymore, for all but the most lucky of us.
Security only exists now through a rapidly growing marketplace, driven by a lack of trained workers. It’s this shortage that creates the right conditions for a higher level of market-security – a far better situation.
Reviewing the computer market, the most recent e-Skills survey highlighted a 26 percent skills deficit. Showing that for each four job positions in existence throughout IT, we’ve only got three properly trained pro’s to do them.
Well skilled and commercially certified new workers are correspondingly at a complete premium, and it’s estimated to remain so for much longer.
With the market evolving at such a speed, is there any other sector worth taking into account for a new future.
At the top of your shopping list for a training program should be proper direct-access 24×7 support with dedicated instructors and mentors. Far too often we see trainers who only seem to want to help while they’re in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends.
Locate training schools where you can receive help at all hours of the day and night (irrespective of whether it’s the wee hours on Sunday morning!) Make sure it’s always direct-access to qualified mentors and tutors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages – so you’re parked in a queue of others waiting to be called back when it’s convenient for them.
Top training providers provide an online round-the-clock facility utilising a variety of support centres throughout multiple time-zones. You will have a single, easy-to-use interface that accesses the most appropriate office irrespective of the time of day: Support available as-and-when you want it.
Find a company that offers this level of study support. As only true 24×7 round-the-clock live support truly delivers for technical programs.
All programs you’re considering has to build towards a commercially valid qualification as an end-goal – and not some unimportant ‘in-house’ diploma – fit only for filing away and forgetting.
All the major commercial players such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA each have nationally acknowledged proficiency programs. These big-hitters will make sure you’re employable.
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