Cisco training is designed for people who wish to work with routers. Routers are what connect networks of computers over dedicated lines or the internet. It’s most probable that initially you should go for your CCNA. Don’t be tempted to go straight for a CCNP because it is very complex – and you’ll need the CCNA and experience first to have a go at this.
To take this course, you should be clear on computer networks and how they operate and function, as networks are built with routers. If not, the chances are you’ll fall behind. Better to look for a course covering the basics in networking (maybe the CompTIA Network+, possibly with A+ as well) prior to starting your CCNA. Look for a training provider that can offer this as a career package.
Having the right skills and correct mind-set ahead of commencing your Cisco training is essential. Therefore, it’s probably necessary to speak to an advisor who can fill you in on any gaps you may have.
Think about the facts below carefully if you think the marketing blurb about ‘guaranteeing’ exams sounds like a benefit to the student:
In this day and age, we’re a little more ‘marketing-savvy’ – and usually we grasp that it is something we’re paying for – they’re not just being charitable and doling out freebies! Should you seriously need to pass first time, then the most successful route is to pay for each exam as you go, give it the necessary attention and give the task sufficient application.
Isn’t it in your interests to hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the time, not to pay the fees marked up by a training college, and also to sit exams more locally – rather than possibly hours away from your area? A lot of so-called credible training course providers net huge amounts of money because they’re asking for exams at the start of the course then cashing in if they’re not all taken. It’s worth noting that exam re-takes with organisations with an ‘Exam Guarantee’ are always heavily controlled. You’ll be required to sit pre-tests until you’ve demonstrated an excellent ability to pass.
VUE and Prometric examinations are in the region of 112 pounds in the UK. Students should be very wary of forking out hundreds of pounds extra in ‘Exam Guarantee’ costs (often hidden in the cost) – when a quality course, support and exam preparation systems and a dose of commitment and effort are what’s required.
Many trainees assume that the school and FE college track is still the best way into IT. So why then are qualifications from the commercial sector becoming more popular with employers? Industry is now aware that for an understanding of the relevant skills, proper accreditation from the likes of CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA is closer to the mark commercially – for much less time and money. Typically, only that which is required is learned. It’s not quite as straightforward as that, but principally the objective has to be to concentrate on the fundamentally important skill-sets (with some necessary background) – without attempting to cover a bit about all sorts of other things (as universities often do).
Assuming a company is aware what areas need to be serviced, then all they have to do is advertise for someone with a specific qualification. Syllabuses are set to exacting standards and do not vary between trainers (like academia frequently can and does).
Have you recently questioned how safe your job is? For most people, this only rears its head when something dramatic happens to shake us. However, the reality is that job security simply doesn’t exist anymore, for all but the most lucky of us. We’re able though to hit upon security at market-level, by looking for areas that have high demand, tied with a lack of qualified workers.
Investigating the IT industry, the 2006 e-Skills analysis showed a more than 26 percent shortage in trained professionals. Meaning that for every 4 jobs that exist throughout IT, we’ve only got three properly trained pro’s to fulfil that role. This troubling concept reveals an urgent requirement for more technically qualified computing professionals in the United Kingdom. It would be hard to imagine if a better time or market settings is ever likely to exist for obtaining certification in this swiftly emerging and evolving sector.
Some training providers supply a practical Job Placement Assistance service, to help you into your first commercial role. It can happen though that too much is made of this feature, as it’s relatively easy for any motivated and trained individual to get work in IT – because there’s a great need for qualified personnel.
Advice and support about getting interviews and your CV should be offered (if it isn’t, consult one of our sites). It’s essential that you update that dusty old CV today – not after you’ve qualified! Quite frequently, you will get your first job while you’re still a student (even when you’ve just left first base). If your course details aren’t on your CV (and it isn’t in the hands of someone with jobs to offer) then you won’t even be considered! Normally you’ll get better performance from a specialist locally based employment agency than you’ll experience from any training course provider’s employment division, because they’ll know the local area and commercial needs better.
A constant frustration of some training providers is how hard people are prepared to study to get qualified, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the role they’ve acquired skills for. Don’t falter at the last fence.
Most people don’t even think to ask about a vitally important element – how their company actually breaks down and delivers the courseware elements, and into how many bits. Many think it logical (with a typical time scale of 1-3 years to achieve full certification,) that a training provider will issue the training stage by stage, until you’ve passed all the exams. However: What if you find the order insisted on by the company won’t suit you. It may be difficult to get through each and every section within their timetable?
For future safety and flexibility, most students now choose to request that all their modules (now paid for) are sent immediately, and not in a piecemeal fashion. It’s then your own choice how fast or slow and in what order you want to finish things.