Cisco training is the way to go for those who need to know all about routers and switches. Routers join up computer networks over the internet or lines dedicated for that purpose. We’d recommend that you should first attempt CCNA. Don’t be tempted to go straight for your CCNP as it’s a considerable step up - and you’ll need the CCNA and experience first to have a go at this.
The sort of jobs available with this kind of skill mean you’ll be more likely to work for national or international corporations that have various different locations but still need contact. On the other hand, you might end up working for an internet service provider. Either way, you’ll be in demand and can expect a high salary.
If you haven’t yet had any experience of routers, then studying up to CCNA is more than enough - at this stage avoid being tempted to do the CCNP. With a few years experience behind you, you can decide if it’s relevant for you to have this next level up.
One thing you must always insist on is proper direct-access 24×7 support via trained professional instructors and mentors. It’s an all too common story to find providers that will only offer a basic 9am till 6pm support period (maybe later on certain days) with very little availability over the weekend.
Don’t buy training courses that only support trainees through a message system after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Colleges will give you every excuse in the book why you don’t need this. The bottom line is - you need support when you need support - not when it’s convenient for them.
Be on the lookout for providers that utilise many support facilities from around the world. Each one should be integrated to offer a simple interface and round-the-clock access, when you need it, with no fuss.
Seek out an educator that is worth purchasing from. Only true live 24×7 round-the-clock support gives you the confidence to make it.
Make sure you don’t get caught-up, as a lot of students can, on the certification itself. Training for training’s sake is generally pointless; this is about gaining commercial employment. You need to remain focused on where you want to go.
It’s a sad fact, but a large percentage of students begin programs that seem amazing in the sales literature, but which gets us a career that doesn’t satisfy. Just ask several college graduates for a real eye-opener.
It’s a good idea to understand what expectations industry may have of you. What precise exams they’ll want you to gain and how you’ll build your experience level. It’s definitely worth spending time thinking about how far you’d like to get as often it can control your selection of accreditations.
Before setting out on a training course, you’d be well advised to chat over individual market requirements with an experienced advisor, to ensure the training course covers all the bases.
The old fashioned style of teaching, using textbooks and whiteboards, is an up-hill struggle for the majority of us. If all this is ringing some familiar bells, find training programs which feature interactive and multimedia modules.
Our ability to remember is increased when we use multiple senses - learning experts have been saying this for decades now.
Find a course where you’re provided with an array of CD and DVD based materials - you’ll start with videos of instructor demonstrations, and be able to practice your skills in interactive lab’s.
You must ensure that you see courseware examples from the company you’re considering. Be sure that they contain full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab’s to practice the skills in.
Some companies only have access to training that is purely available online; sometimes you can get away with this - but, imagine the problems if you lose your internet access or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. A safer solution is the provision of physical CD or DVD discs that removes the issue entirely.
Does job security really exist anymore? In a marketplace like the UK, where business constantly changes its mind on a day-to-day basis, it seems increasingly unlikely.
Where there are escalating skills shortfalls mixed with high demand areas of course, we can hit upon a fresh type of security in the marketplace; where, fuelled by the conditions of constant growth, companies find it hard to locate enough staff.
Reviewing the computer industry, a key e-Skills study highlighted a twenty six percent shortfall of skilled workers. Or, to put it differently, this highlights that Great Britain is only able to source 3 trained people for every 4 jobs that are available today.
Well trained and commercially accredited new workers are consequently at a resounding premium, and it’s estimated to remain so for many years to come.
While the market is developing at such a quick pace, is there any other sector worth looking at for retraining.