Cisco CCNA Training Around The UK 2009
May 1, 2009 by Jason Kendall
Filed under Online Colleges
Cisco training is fundamentally for those who want to learn about routers. Routers hook up computer networks over the internet or lines dedicated for that purpose. We’d recommend that you should start with the CCNA. Steer clear of going immediately onto a CCNP because it is very complex – and you’ll need the CCNA and experience first before you take this on.
Routers connect to networks, so look for a program that features the basics on networks (such as CompTIA Network+ and A+) before getting going with CCNA. You’ll need a basic grasp of networks before you start a Cisco course or you may be out of your depth. Once qualified and looking for work, networking skills will be valuable in addition to the CCNA.
The correct skill set and understanding ahead of starting the CCNA is very important. Therefore, discuss the requirements expected of you with someone who will be able to help you.
It would be wonderful to believe that our careers are safe and our work futures are protected, however, the truth for the majority of jobs in Great Britain right now is that security just isn’t there anymore. Of course, a quickly growing market-place, where staff are in constant demand (because of an enormous shortfall of fully trained people), opens the possibility of real job security.
The 2006 British e-Skills investigation showed that twenty six percent of all IT positions available remain unfilled as an upshot of a huge deficit of well-trained staff. Meaning that for every four jobs that are available around IT, there are barely three qualified workers to fill that need. This glaring idea shows an urgent requirement for more technically certified computing professionals across the UK. For sure, now really is such a perfect time to retrain into IT.
So if the IT sector provides so many great career development prospects for us – what sort of questions should we pose and what factors are most important?
Get rid of the typical salesman who recommends a training program without performing a ‘fact-find’ to assess your abilities and level of experience. They should be able to select from a wide-enough choice of training products so they’re able to give you an appropriate solution. Occasionally, the level to start at for a person experienced in some areas will be massively dissimilar to someone without. Opening with a basic PC skills course first may be the ideal way to get up and running on your computer studies, but really depends on your level of familiarity with computers.
Some commercial training providers will only offer basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); very few go late in the evening or at weekends. Beware of institutions that use ‘out-of-hours’ call-centres – with the call-back coming in during normal office hours. It’s not a lot of help when you’ve got study issues and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
The best trainers have many support offices active in different time-zones. They use an online interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, at any time you choose, help is just a click away, without any problems or delays. Never make the mistake of compromise with the quality of your support. Most IT hopefuls who drop-out or fail, are in that situation because they didn’t get the support necessary for them.
It’s likely that you’re a practical sort of person – a ‘hands-on’ individual. If you’re like us, the unfortunate chore of reading reference guides is something you’ll force on yourself if you absolutely have to, but you really wouldn’t enjoy it. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if book-based learning really isn’t your style. Research over recent years has repeatedly confirmed that becoming involved with our studies, to utilise all our senses, is much more conducive to long-term memory.
Search for a course where you’ll receive a library of CD or DVD ROM’s – you’ll be learning from instructor videos and demo’s, and then have the opportunity to use virtual lab’s to practice your new skills. Be sure to get a training material demonstration from the school that you’re considering. The package should contain slide-shows, instructor-led videos and fully interactive skills-lab’s.
Purely on-line training should be avoided. You want physical CD/DVD ROM course materials where available, so that you have access at all times – and not be totally reliant on your internet connection always being ‘up’ and available.
A number of students assume that the tech college or university system is still the most effective. Why then are commercial certificates becoming more in demand? With university education costs climbing ever higher, along with the IT sector’s growing opinion that vendor-based training most often has much more commercial relevance, we’ve seen a big surge in Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe accredited training programmes that educate students at a much reduced cost in terms of money and time. This is done through honing in on the skills that are really needed (along with a relevant amount of associated knowledge,) instead of going into the heightened depths of background non-specific minutiae that computer Science Degrees can get bogged down in – to pad out the syllabus.
As long as an employer understands what areas they need covered, then all they have to do is advertise for the particular skill-set required. Commercial syllabuses are all based on the same criteria and do not vary between trainers (like academia frequently can and does).
Always expect an accredited exam preparation programme included in the package you choose. Sometimes people can find themselves confused by practicing questions for their exams that are not from the authorised examining boards. Often, the question formats and phraseology is startlingly different and it’s important to prepare yourself for this. Clearly, it’s very crucial to be confident that you are completely prepared for the real exam before embarking on it. Practicing ‘mock’ tests helps build your confidence and will avoid you getting frustrated with failed exams.
Many trainers supply a practical Job Placement Assistance service, to help you get your first job. With the growing demand for appropriately skilled people in Great Britain at the moment, it’s not necessary to make too much of this option though. It isn’t such a complex operation to land employment once you’re well trained and qualified.
Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews may be available (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). Be sure to you polish up your CV straight away – don’t leave it till you pass the exams! Various junior support jobs are offered to students who are in the process of training and have yet to take their exams. At least this will get your CV into the ‘possible’ pile and not the ‘no’ pile. You’ll normally experience quicker service from a specialist independent regional employment service than you will through a training company’s employment division, as they will understand the local industry and employment needs.
Fundamentally, as long as you focus the same level of energy into landing a position as into training, you won’t find it too challenging. Some students strangely spend hundreds of hours on their training and studies and then just stop once qualified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.