Well done! Reading this subject matter proves you must be thinking about your future, and if you're considering retraining then you've already got further than almost everybody else. Can you believe that just one in ten of us are contented at work - yet most will take no corrective action. Why not stand out from the crowd and make a start - those who do hardly ever regret it.

It's advisable to get some help before you start - talk to a knowledgeable person; someone who'll give you career advice based on what works best for you, and offer only the learning programs that will suit you:

* Do you enjoy a busy working environment? Is it meeting new people or being part of a team? Maybe you like to deal with tasks that you deal with by yourself?

* Have you given much thought to which sector you would be suited to? (In this economy, it's essential to be selective.)

* Is this the final time you want to study, and therefore, will your chosen career path give you scope to do that?

* Do you feel uncomfortable about your possibilities of new employment opportunities, and being gainfully employed to the end of your working life?

The most significant market sector in the UK to tick all of the above boxes is the computer industry, particularly IT. There's a demand for more qualified workers in the industry, just check out any job site and there'll be a long list. However, it's not only geeky nerds gazing towards theirscreens all the time - there's a lot more to it than that. The majority of staff in this sector are people of average intelligence, with jobs they enjoy and better than average salaries.

Massive developments are washing over technology as we approach the second decade of the 21st century - and this means greater innovations all the time. Technology, computers and dialogue through the web will dramatically affect our lifestyles over the coming years; profoundly so.

And it's worth remembering that income in the IT market across the UK is considerably higher than in the rest of the economy, which means you will more than likely gain a lot more as an IT specialist, than you would in most typical jobs. Due to the technological sector emerging at an unprecedented rate, it's likely that the need for qualified professionals will continue actively for quite some time to come.

Locating job security in the current climate is very rare. Businesses frequently remove us from the workplace at the drop of a hat - as long as it fits their needs. Of course, a fast growing sector, where there just aren't enough staff to go round (due to a massive shortfall of commercially certified workers), creates the conditions for lasting job security.

Investigating the Information Technology (IT) sector, the recent e-Skills study brought to light a 26 percent deficit in trained staff. Or, to put it differently, this shows that Great Britain is only able to source 3 certified professionals for every 4 jobs that are available today. This worrying truth highlights the requirement for more properly certified IT professionals across the UK. While the market is evolving at such a rate, is there any other area of industry worth investigating for your new career.

Consider only retraining programmes that lead to industry acknowledged exams. There are far too many small colleges suggesting 'in-house' certificates which are worthless when you start your job-search. Only properly recognised certification from companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe and CompTIA will mean anything to employers.

Review the following points very carefully if you think the marketing blurb about an 'Exam Guarantee' sounds great value:

We all know that we're ultimately paying for it - it's obviously already been included in the gross price invoiced by the training company. It's absolutely not free - don't think these companies are so generous with their money! Qualifying on the first 'go' is what everyone wants to do. Entering examinations in order and funding them as you go puts you in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt - you put the effort in and are conscious of what you've spent.

Don't you think it's more sensible to hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you're ready, not to pay the fees marked up by a training course provider, and to do it in a local testing office - instead of miles away at the college's beck and call? A surprising number of so-called credible training companies make huge profits through getting in the money for exam fees early then hoping that you won't take them all. Most companies will insist that you take mock exams first and prohibit you from re-taking an exam until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - which actually leaves you with no guarantee at all.

Prometric and VUE exams are in the region of 112 pounds in the UK. What's the point of paying huge 'Exam Guarantee' fees (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) - when a quality course, support and consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.

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