Which qualifications?

Discussion in 'Training & Development' started by Dicky, Jan 5, 2012.

  1. Dicky

    Dicky New Member

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    I've had a computer in one form or another for the past 25 years, I'm currently out of work and want to start up my own computer maintenance and repair company but I don't have any formal qualifications.

    What are the best courses to take to enable me to carry out repairs and maintenance on PC's and laptops?

    Any advice would be much appreciated.
     
  2. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    IMO, the best certification program for the basic's is Comptia's A+.

    As I'm also a firm believer in all types of education: Academic, Vocational and Professional. With this in mind you may also want to check out the National BTEC Award in Computer Engineering (this also covers the material for the A+ - however the exams for the A+ have to be booked separately).

    I also mention the BTEC award as the A+, while more widely know, has to be renewed every 3 years now (there are various ways of doing this, but it does cost).
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  3. Dicky

    Dicky New Member

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    Thanks for the information, it's much appreciated.
     
  4. SimonD
    Honorary Member

    SimonD Terabyte Poster

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    I am going to cut and paste a reply I did to someone a while back when they wanted to open up their own computer maintenace and repair company.

    I stand by my earlier comments because I still have the website running and until recently also had the phone working and in all that time I never had more than the two initial callers.
     
    Certifications: CNA | CNE | CCNA | MCP | MCP+I | MCSE NT4 | MCSA 2003 | Security+ | MCSA:S 2003 | MCSE:S 2003 | MCTS:SCCM 2007 | MCTS:Win 7 | MCITP:EDA7 | MCITP:SA | MCITP:EA | MCTS:Hyper-V | VCP 4 | ITIL v3 Foundation | VCP 5 DCV | VCP 5 Cloud | VCP6 NV | VCP6 DCV | VCAP 5.5 DCA
  5. dmarsh
    Honorary Member 500 Likes Award

    dmarsh Petabyte Poster

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    You could take A+ as mentioned, but also I'd try and get on some sort of basic electronics course and maybe try and get a part time job at a local repair center.
     
  6. dales

    dales Terabyte Poster

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    Mainly unfortunately what Simon has said, feel free to study for the A+ if IT is what you would like to do but the best you can hope for these days is a bit of sideline work for neighbours and relatives for beer money. Years ago it was worth repairing a computer, these days like everything else with a plug on it is a consumable item, if its broke buy another one. You can buy new desktops and laptops from the low £200's these days so repairing something thats more than likely slow and outdated anyway will have no value and subsequently you wont be able to make anywhere near enough to cover any costs.
     
    Certifications: vExpert 2014+2015+2016,VCP-DT,CCE-V, CCE-AD, CCP-AD, CCEE, CCAA XenApp, CCA Netscaler, XenApp 6.5, XenDesktop 5 & Xenserver 6,VCP3+5,VTSP,MCSA MCDST MCP A+ ITIL F
    WIP: Nothing
  7. shadowwebs

    shadowwebs Megabyte Poster

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    I would also recommend the A+ and by all means, you could try setting up your own computer maintenance firm for a few quid, but if you are wanting to do it seriously then your going to have to register your company name, get a VAT number, so that may all cost you money.

    On the other hand, see if any computer firms out there are after any staff, if not then you could see if they want any volunteers. Yes voluntary is unpaid, but it's experience for both your own knowledge and for your CV.

    Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

    - - - Updated - - -

    I just noticed that the original post was from January 2012.. so he may even have the A+ certification now and be up and running taking on the likes of Dell :)

    Would be good to hear the outcome, so hopefully Dicky will come on by.
     
    Certifications: compTIA A+, Apple Certified Technical Coordinator 10.10 (OS X Yosemite, Server and Support)
  8. Rob1234

    Rob1234 Megabyte Poster Forum Leader

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    :lol: I wondered when someone would notice that!
     
    Certifications: A few.
  9. Hally

    Hally Bit Poster

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    Its also worth noting for anyone considering the A+ Course that the exams have just been updated.

    There are plenty of companies out there offering the course materials for the exams which will be retired at the end of August 2013. Check before signing up!!!
     
    Certifications: CIW Web Foundations Associate, CIW Web Design Specialist, A+ Certification

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