The CompTIA A+ course covers two specialised areas - the requirement is exam passes in each area to reach the level of A+ registered. In addition to learning about building and fixing computers, students on an A+ training course will have instruction on how to work in antistatic conditions, how to fault find, to diagnose and to remotely access problems. If you feel it appropriate to add Network+ to your CompTIA A+ training course, you will additionally be able to assist with or manage networks of computers, meaning you're in a position to move further up the career path.

Commercially accredited qualifications are now, without a doubt, beginning to replace the traditional routes into the IT sector - so why has this come about? Key company training (in industry terminology) is more effective in the commercial field. Industry has become aware that this level of specialised understanding is necessary to meet the requirements of a technically advancing world. Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA are the big boys in this field. Patently, an appropriate degree of closely linked information needs to be taught, but essential specialisation in the particular job function gives a vendor trained person a distinct advantage.

The bottom line is: Accredited IT qualifications let employers know exactly what you're capable of - the title says it all: for example, I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Planning and Maintaining a Windows 2003 Infrastructure'. Consequently an employer can identify just what their needs are and which qualifications are required to perform the job.

Consider only training programs which will move onto commercially accepted accreditations. There's an endless list of small companies proposing unknown 'in-house' certificates that are essentially useless in the real world. From the perspective of an employer, only the top companies like Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA or Cisco (to give some examples) will open the right doors. Nothing else will cut the mustard.

A successful package of training will undoubtedly also offer wholly authorised exam preparation packages. Some students can get confused by going through practice questions that aren't recognised by official boards. Quite often, the way questions are phrased can be completely unlike un-authorised versions and you should be prepared for this. Simulated exams can be very useful in helping you build your confidence - so that when you come to take the real thing, you won't be worried.

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