It is crucial to know what ambitions you're looking to accomplish if you're going to get started on an IT training program. Have you got employment in your mind that calls for certain IT user skill-sets, or do you merely would like to know the way to surf the web more widely? On the other hand, there's a chance you're targeting a full career in the IT sector.

Knowing your end goal can be key to the training that will get you to it. So therefore, when you realize where you're headed, you can take appropriate well-informed decisions about what type of study is going to fit your circumstances. This important practice will also save you time and expense, and will mean you're not using up energy on the wrong thing.

You'll get the opportunity to learn more about the various I.T. careers and training routes from dedicated web-pages on this web site. In addition, our free Information pack will provide you with in-depth guidance, and information on how to contact our team of industry specialists.

Taking things one step farther again, you could research the 1st stage of Professional accreditation: User and Systems Support. Generally, if you are going to deliver software support to others in a business environment, the 'MCDST' ('Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician') may be relevant. Set aside around one hundred hours of study time to get this standard of qualification.

We come into full I.T. career training at the next level. The most popular starting place for hardware support, networking and security roles are the 'CompTIA A+' & 'Network+' certifications. Together with learning about the basics of hardware & networks, you'll also learn about trouble-shooting, support, administration and security. Most combined 'A+' and Network+ training programmes take the average person somewhere around 200 to 250 hours to work through, so can quite feasibly be studied around a full-time job.

If you are thinking about a career move in to IT, its very likely that you will want to start off somewhere around these courses, subject to your present degree of IT literacy. For any more advanced programs it's a good idea to talk your plans through with an advisor who has I.T. experience. However any complete career change plans should really be talked over before diving in - its a practical approach to confirm the training you select is actually right for the job. Inadequate planning can lead to much disappointment down the road, & cost considerably more than was necessary!

If you simply want to get a good knowledge of how to use your laptop or computer for basic operations, the ECDL is the best program for you. Almost all personal PCs run on a system referred to as Microsoft 'Windows', and your "ECDL" teaches the way to operate its basic elements. You'll get to know more about how you can login to the net, and the way to access and navigate web-sites and handle e-mail. You'll also be taught the basic principles of word processing plus a bit about what databases & spreadsheets are generally used for.

A further step is to gain some more formalised instruction to enhance your Resume or prepare you for extra functions at work. Probably the most common of these is further training in Microsoft 'Office'. By far the most beneficial professional certifications teaching 'Office' are Microsoft 'Office Specialist' & Microsoft 'Certified Application Specialist' (identified recognised in industry as 'MOS' and MCAS). Whilst the first emphasises the MS Office 2003 environment in Windows 'XP', the second features 'Windows Vista' & Office 2007. XP remains the most used within industry, but 'Vista' may be more useful in the future. There are separate exams for each that test on 'Word' ('word processing'), "Excel" (spreadsheets), "Access" (data-bases) and 'Powerpoint' (presentations.) These accreditations will indicate to a company how you're effectively qualified to utilise these packages to their fullest level.

Employment opportunities in I.T. can be divided into a number of main groups: Programming (including Software Development), Networking (which includes Support & Security), Web-Design (both creative & technical) & Databases (both Administration and Development). Every I.T. classification has its own list of proficiency specifications, along with corresponding accreditations at a number of different ability stages. Software Development satisfies a different type of individual to web design, which satisfies a different kind of person to networking. Once you have had an opportunity to get guidance on all of the IT sectors, you will be much more confident that you've chosen the right career path for you.

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