There are a total of 2 specialist training sectors in the overall A+ programme, of which passes in both are needed for competency in A+. Passing the A+ exam on its own will set you up to fix and maintain stand alone Macs, computers and laptops; ones that are generally not connected to a network - which means the home or small business market. Should you be thinking of maintaining networks, you'll need to add CompTIA Network+ to your training package. This qualification will put you in a position to get a higher paid position. Other ones that might be interesting to you are the route to networking via Microsoft, in the form of MCP's, MCSA or the full MCSE.

You have to be sure that all your qualifications are what employers want - don't bother with programs that only give in-house certificates. You'll discover that only industry recognised examinations from the top companies like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco and CompTIA will mean anything to employers.

The sometimes daunting task of getting your first computer related job can be eased by training colleges, through a Job Placement Assistance programme. Often, too much is made of this feature, because it is actually not that hard for a well trained and motivated person to secure work in this industry - because there's a great need for trained staff.

You would ideally have help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews though; and we'd recommend all students to update their CV as soon as they start a course - don't procrastinate and leave it till you've finished your exams. Quite frequently, you'll secure your first position while you're still a student (sometimes when you've only just got going). If your CV doesn't say what you're learning (and it isn't in the hands of someone with jobs to offer) then you don't stand a chance! You can usually expect quicker service from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than you'll experience from any course provider's national service, as they will understand the local industry and employment needs.

A constant aggravation of a number of training providers is how much men and women are prepared to work to become certified, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the position they've trained for. Don't falter at the last fence.

A fatal Faux-Pas that many potential students make is to focus entirely on getting a qualification, rather than starting with the desired end-result. Schools are full of unaware students who took a course because it seemed fun - instead of what would yield their end-goal of a job they enjoyed. It's an awful thing, but the majority of trainees commence training that sounds great in the syllabus guide, but which gets us a career that doesn't fulfil at all. Speak to a selection of university leavers to see what we mean.

You must also consider what your attitude is towards career progression and earning potential, and how ambitious you are. It makes sense to understand what will be expected of you, what accreditations are required and how you'll gain real-world experience. Look for help from an experienced industry professional who appreciates the market you're interested in, and is able to give you 'A day in the life of' synopsis of what you'll actually be doing day-to-day. It's good sense to ensure you're on the right track well before your course begins. There's little reason in starting your training and then find you've gone the wrong way entirely.

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