Market and Investment

Thinking of taking an MCSE? If so, it’s probable that it’s likely you’ll come into one of two categories: You could already be in IT and you need to formalise your skill set with the Microsoft qualification. Or this could be your first step into the computer world, and you’ve discovered there’s a huge demand for those with appropriate certifications.

As you find out about training providers, make sure you steer clear of those that short-change you by not providing the latest Microsoft version. This is a false economy for the trainee due to the fact that they’ll have learned outdated MCSE course material which doesn’t fall in with the existing exam programme, so they’ll probably fail.

Training colleges should be completely focused on finding the right path for their students. Mentoring education is equally about helping people to work out which direction to go in, as much as giving them help to get there.

Some commercial training providers will only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later; It’s rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover.

Don’t buy training that only supports trainees through a message system when it’s outside of usual working hours. Colleges will always try to hide the importance of this issue. The simple fact of the matter is - you need support when you need support - not at times when they find it cheaper to provide it.

As long as you look hard, you will find professional companies who offer direct-access support at all times - no matter what time of day it is.

Look for a training company that offers this level of study support. Because only live 24×7 round-the-clock support provides the necessary backup.

Many training companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to help you get your first job. In reality it isn’t a complex operation to get a job - as long as you’re correctly trained and certified; the growing UK skills shortage sees to that.

Update your CV at the beginning of your training though (advice and support for this should come from your course provider). Don’t put it off until you’ve qualified.

Many junior support jobs have been bagged by trainees who are still learning and have yet to take their exams. At least this will get your CV into the ‘possible’ pile and not the ‘no’ pile.

The best services to help get you placed are normally local IT focused employment agencies. Because they make their money when they’ve found you a job, they have the necessary incentive to try that bit harder.

A common grievance of many course providers is how much trainees are focused on studying to get qualified, but how un-prepared that student is to get the role they have acquired skills for. Don’t give up when the best is yet to come.

The age-old way of teaching, involving piles of reference textbooks, is usually pretty hard going. If this sounds like you, check out study materials that are on-screen and interactive.

Many studies have proved that long term memory is improved when all our senses are involved, and we take action to use what we’ve learned.

Programs are now found in the form of CD and DVD ROM’s, where everything is taught on your PC. Video streaming means you will be able to see the instructor presenting exactly how it’s all done, and then practice yourself - with interactive lab sessions.

Every company that you look at must be able to demonstrate some examples of their training materials. You should hope for instructor-led videos and many interactive sections.

Opt for CD and DVD ROM based physical training media whenever you can. You’re then protected from the variability of broadband quality and service.

The best type of training package should have Microsoft (or key company) exam preparation systems.

Some students can find themselves confused by trying to prepare themselves with questions that aren’t recognised by official sources. Often, the question formats and phraseology is startlingly different and you should be prepared for this.

Mock exams are enormously valuable as a tool for logging knowledge into your brain - so when it comes to taking the real thing, you don’t get phased.