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In the UK today, many workplaces couldn’t function properly if it weren’t for support workers solving problems with networks and computers, while recommending solutions to users each and every day. The world’s desire for such skilled and qualified people is constantly growing, as everywhere we work becomes progressively more technologically advanced.

One thing you must always insist on is proper direct-access 24×7 support via dedicated instructors and mentors. Far too often we see trainers who only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later (but not weekends usually).

Avoid, like the plague, any organisations who use ‘out-of-hours’ call-centres – with your call-back scheduled for office hours. It’s not a lot of help when you’ve got study issues and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.

Be on the lookout for study programmes that have multiple support offices active in different time-zones. Each one should be integrated to provide a single interface and also round-the-clock access, when you need it, with no fuss.

Never ever take second best when you’re looking for the right support service. Many IT hopefuls that can’t get going properly, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).

People attracted to this sort of work are often very practical, and won’t enjoy sitting at a desk in class, and slogging through piles of books. If this could be you, go for more modern interactive training, where you can learn everything on-screen.

Our ability to remember is increased with an involvement of all our senses – educational experts have expounded on this for decades now.

The latest home-based training features self-contained CD or DVD materials. By watching and listening to instructors on video tutorials you’ll learn your subject via the expert demonstrations. Knowledge can then be tested by utilising the practice lab’s and modules.

Every company that you look at must be able to demonstrate some simple examples of their training materials. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and many interactive sections.

It’s usually bad advice to select online only courseware. With highly variable reliability and quality from most broadband providers, ensure that you have access to physical media such as CD or DVD ROM’s.

A capable and professional advisor (as opposed to a salesman) will ask questions and seek to comprehend your current level of ability and experience. There is no other way of understanding your study start-point.

Often, the training start-point for a person with a little experience can be massively different to the student with none.

Where this will be your first attempt at IT study then it may be wise to cut your teeth on user-skills and software training first.

Watch out that all exams you’re studying for are recognised by industry and are bang up to date. The ‘in-house’ certifications provided by many companies are often meaningless.

Only properly recognised accreditation from the likes of Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA and Cisco will be useful to a future employer.

(C) Jason Kendall. Pop to LearningLolly.com for superb ideas. CLICK HERE or Computer Networking Course.