Without a regular deluge of knowledgeable PC and network support staff, industry in the United Kingdom (along with most other places) could well be drawn to a standstill. There is a huge demand for men and women with technical ability to support systems and users alike. The nation's requirement for better commercially qualified individuals is enhanced, as society becomes consistently more dependent upon computers in today's environment.

You should look for accredited simulation materials and an exam preparation system as part of your training package. Avoid relying on unofficial preparation materials for exams. The terminology of their questions is sometimes startlingly different - and this could lead to potential problems when the proper exam time arrives. Always request some practice exams in order to check your comprehension at all times. Simulated or practice exams help to build your confidence - so you're much more at ease with the real thing.

Make sure that all your certifications are current and what employers are looking for - don't even consider programmes that only give in-house certificates. From the viewpoint of an employer, only the major heavyweights like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe (to give some examples) really carry any commercial clout. Nothing else will cut the mustard.

The perhaps intimidating chore of finding your first role in IT can be eased because some trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance service. With the massive shortage of skills in the UK today, there's no need to become overly impressed with this service however. It isn't such a complex operation to find employment once you're properly qualified.

Nevertheless, don't procrastinate and wait until you've passed your final exams before getting your CV updated. As soon as your training commences, mark down what you're doing and place it on jobsites! Many junior support jobs have been bagged by students who are still studying and have yet to take their exams. This will at the very least get your CV into the 'possible' pile and not the 'no' pile. If you'd like to keep travelling time and costs to a minimum, then you'll probably find that a specialist locally based employment agency could be of more use than a national service, for they're going to have insider knowledge of what's available near you.

A slight aggravation of a number of course providers is how much people are prepared to work to pass exams, but how un-prepared that student is to get the role they've trained for. Don't give up when the best is yet to come.

Students eager to get a career in computers and technology usually have no idea of what route they should take, let alone which area to obtain accreditation for. Perusing a list of odd-sounding and meaningless job titles is just a waste of time. The majority of us don't really appreciate what our own family members do for a living - so we have no hope of understanding the ins and outs of any specific IT role. Usually, the way to come at this issue in the best manner flows from a full conversation around several areas:

* What nature of person you think yourself to be - what tasks do you get enjoyment from, and on the other side of the coin - what don't you like doing.

* Why you're looking at getting involved with computing - maybe you want to triumph over a particular goal such as firing your boss and working for yourself maybe.

* Any personal or home needs you have?

* Often, trainees don't consider the energy required to attain their desired level.

* It makes sense to understand what differentiates all the training areas.

To be honest, you'll find the only real way to investigate these issues will be via a meeting with an advisor that has a background in Information Technology (and more importantly the commercial requirements.)

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