There are actually 2 different sectors in the complete CompTIA A+ course, of which you need to pass both for competency in A+. As well as learning how to build PC's and fix them, trainees of A+ will have instruction on how to work in antistatic conditions, along with remote access, fault finding and diagnostics. Should you fancy yourself as someone who works in a multi-faceted environment - fixing and supporting networks, build on A+ with Network+, or consider the Microsoft networking route (MCSA - MCSE) because it's necessary to have a more advanced experience of how networks work.

Some training providers offer a Job Placement Assistance service, to assist your search for your first position. Ultimately it isn't a complex operation to get your first job - assuming you're well trained and qualified; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.

Get your CV updated straight-away though - look to your training company for advice on how to do this. Don't delay for when you're ready to start work. Various junior support jobs are offered to people who are still learning and have still to get qualified. This will at the very least get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile. You'll normally experience quicker service from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than you'll experience from any training provider's national service, as they'll know local industry and the area better.

A common frustration of some training course providers is how much students are prepared to work to get qualified, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the job they're trained for. Don't falter at the last fence.

Discovering job security in the current climate is incredibly rare. Companies often throw us out of the workplace at a moment's notice - as long as it fits their needs. Of course, a sector experiencing fast growth, with huge staffing demands (because of an enormous shortfall of commercially certified professionals), provides a market for true job security.

Taking a look at the computer business, a recent e-Skills investigation showed a more than 26 percent shortfall of skilled workers. Quite simply, we only have the national capacity to fill three out of each 4 job positions in Information Technology (IT). This one reality alone is the backbone of why the UK is in need of so many more trainees to join the IT sector. With the market evolving at such a rate, could there honestly be a better market worth investigating for retraining.

Have a conversation with a skilled consultant and they can normally tell you many awful tales of salespeople ripping-off unsuspecting students. Ensure you only ever work with an industry professional who asks lots of questions to find out what's appropriate to you - not for their wallet! Dig until you find the right starting point of study for you. With some real-world experience or qualifications, you could discover that your appropriate starting-point is now at a different level to a new student. If this is going to be your initial stab at studying to take an IT exam then it may be wise to start with some basic PC skills training first.

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