If it weren't for a steady stream of qualified computer and network support staff, commerce in the UK (as elsewhere) would be likely to be drawn to a standstill. Therefore, there's a huge requirement for people to support systems and users alike. Our desire for those members of the workforce is growing at an impressive rate, as commercial enterprise becomes significantly more reliant on computers.

The way a programme is physically sent to you is usually ignored by most students. How is the courseware broken down? What is the order and do you have a say in when you'll get each part? Often, you'll enrol on a course staged over 2 or 3 years and get posted one section at a time - from one exam to the next. While this may sound logical on one level, consider this: With thought, many trainees understand that the company's usual training route is not what they would prefer. You may find that a different order of study is more expedient. Could it cause problems if you don't get everything done inside of the expected timescales?

Ideally, you'd get ALL the training materials right at the beginning - so you'll have them all for the future to come back to - as and when you want. This also allows you to vary the order in which you attack each section where a more intuitive path can be found.

Charging for exams with the course fee then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status is a popular marketing tool with a number of training colleges. But look at the facts:

In this day and age, we have to be a bit more aware of hype - and most of us cotton on to the fact that it is actually an additional cost to us - it's not because they're so generous they want to give something away! It's well known in the industry that if students pay for each examination, one at a time, the chances are they're going to qualify each time - because they'll think of their payment and so will prepare more thoroughly.

Don't pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you at the appropriate time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You also get more choice of where you take your exam - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. Why tie up your cash (or borrow more than you need) for examinations when there was no need to? Big margins are netted by organisations charging upfront for all their exams - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. Re-takes of any failed exams with companies who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are tightly controlled. You will be required to do mock exams until you've demonstrated an excellent ability to pass.

On average, exams cost about 112 pounds last year through VUE or Pro-metric centres in the UK. So don't be talked into shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds more to get 'an Exam Guarantee', when it's no secret that the best guarantee is a regular, committed, study programme, with an accredited exam preparation system.

In most cases, a average student doesn't know what way to go about starting in Information Technology, or even what market to focus their retraining program on. What are the chances of us grasping the day-to-day realities of any IT job if we've never been there? Maybe we don't know someone who works in that sector anyway. Consideration of several factors is required if you need to expose a solution that suits you:

* What nature of individual you are - the tasks that you get enjoyment from, and on the other side of the coin - what don't you like doing.

* Do you want to get certified because of a specific reason - for example, are you pushing to work from home (working for yourself?)?

* Is your income higher on your list of priorities than other factors.

* Because there are so many different sectors to gain certifications for in the IT industry - it's wise to gain some background information on what differentiates them.

* Having a serious look at what commitment and time you'll make available.

For the average person, sifting through so much data will require meeting with someone that knows what they're talking about. Not only the accreditations - you also need to understand the commercial requirements and expectations of the market as well.

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