Help with training

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I left school with not so good qualifications (3 GCSE's at C grade, the rest were D's and E's )

I left school thinking that i wanted a career in web design so i went to college and did a BTEC National Diploma in Media Studies.

Passed that in July 2005 and haven't had a job since.

Half way through that course i decided that design wasn't for me but i stuck with the course to get the qualification at the end.

I decided that i want to stick with computers (technical side) as it's always been a passion of mine since i was young.

I built my first computer when i was 12 and it all progressed from there.

Now i can't find a job so i'm guessing it's because i have no computer engineer qualifications.

So i'm looking at training courses to get some qualifications.

After hours of googling i found this -

http://www.itlearneasy.com/html/network-professional-plus-2003.html

Which as you can see gives the following qualifications -

Microsoft Office Specialist 2003/XP MOS Master

CompTIA A+

CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Server+

CompTIA Linux+

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer MCSE 2003

Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNA

Cisco Certified Design Associate CCDA

Cisco Certified Design Professional CCDP

Project Managment Professional PMP

Which is fantastic and is only £3000 in total.

I've apllied for a Career Development Loan (CDL) to help fund my training.

Just wondering, is the course the one i should be after?

I ideally want to be a computer technician/engineer and can do any aspect including hardware/software and networking.

I prefer the building/repair of computers.

Anyone had any experience with that company as i've never heard of them?

Anyone recommend anyone different?

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Andy

 

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Andy,

I suggest that you take a look further around this forum and our Job's and Employment forum and look into the posts and comments that have already been made before you go and sign up to anything.

You say that you can't get a job because you lack the qualifications, well by my estimation you must be 18 of 19 right?

Have you looked into a Modern Apprenticeship in IT? that's how I got my break almost 10 years ago, and I haven't looked back since.

 

Hi mate, i've had a look around, and some posts are informative.

I'd like to get a qualification of some kind anyway, as i have none in IT.

I looked into modern apprentiships and it just doesn't offer me enough for what it is.

I'm dead set on a training course of some kind.

 

Andy, your head will explode if you try to do all these courses in one go. This is way over the top for a newbie into IT This stuff is complicated and these people do not hand out exam passes like confetti. Unless you are some kind of genius, with an IQ the size of a small planet, you should think again.

Why not just self study the CompTia A+, lots of people here are doing just that. Buy the Mike Myres book that is recommended by all and sundry and start from there.

Learn to walk before you try and run or you may as well throw your money (or your parents money), in the bin.

 

I agree with Bluerinse. It would take a lot of years to earn all of those certifications. Also keep in mind that Cisco certs expire every so many years (3 actually) so once you'd earned all those certs, you'd constantly be testing to renew them.

 

Was told by 2 people (one with MCSE and one with CCNA) that A+ isn't that good any more?

I don't see anything better though?

 

LOL well you are being told by two people here with the same certs, that it is still the best place to start. The A+ may have changed over the years but there is still heaps of useful info in there. The cert is globally recognised and it doesn't expire. If you combine the A+ with the N+ the two count toward an MCSA, hence only three Microsoft MCPs needed instead of four.

Now who are you going to believe, your real friends or us fictional cyber peeps you don't know from Adam

 

Ok guys, read about and it seems you're right, that the A+ is the best place to start.

So where's the best place to gain this certification?

Online or at an actual course?

How much should i be prepared to play?

Andy

 

Hi,

yes, it is my opinion and others that the A+ is a good place to start.
Grab yourself the latest A+ all in one from Amazon, the objectives from comptia and some old computers to break from ebay keep Certforums bookmarked and you are ready to begin
Cost wise keep your eyes on get certified and expect to pay around £80 - £100 per exam.

 

Thanks Boyce, seems easy enough

I've added you to msn, hope you don't mind, when you got time, pop in, so i can pick your brain to pieces

Thanks,

Andy

 

Would it be best to get a book and do the exams then?

How many exams are there for A+?

Or would it be better going to somewhere like pitman training and having the facilities to use?

 

There are 2 exams you have to pass before you are A+ certified. You can take the Operating Systems or hardware exam first.
A+ is very much hands on, so the more experience you can get by breaking and repairing Pc's the better. I know even less than i know now (!) before i started and found it great.
In my opinion you can do it without a training provider but the choice is yours

 

Got an appointment with Pitmans today at 3:30, so will see what info they give me

 

Ok, let us know the outcome.

 

responding to the first post,
3000 pounds is little for the certs included.

however:
1. it doesn't include the cost of the exams.
2. it is distance learning.
3. no telephone support.
4. 24 months my ass.