If we didn't have a continuous flood of qualified PC and network support personnel, commercial enterprise throughout the country (as elsewhere) would inevitably grind to a halt. Consequently, there's an on-going demand for technically able people to support both the systems and the users themselves. With the increasingly complex nature of technological advances, many more qualified workers are needed to specialise in the smooth operation of functions we rely on.

Students hoping to begin an Information Technology career generally haven't a clue which path to follow, or even what area to achieve their certification in. Reading long lists of different and confusing job titles is next to useless. The majority of us have no concept what our own family members do for a living - let alone understand the subtleties of a particular IT career. To work through this, a discussion is necessary, covering many unique issues:

* What hobbies you're involved with in your spare-time - these can highlight what possibilities will provide a happy working life.

* Are you looking to achieve a specific aim - like becoming self-employed as quickly as possible?

* How highly do you rate salary - is an increase your main motivator, or do you place job satisfaction further up on your priority-list?

* Looking at the many markets that the IT industry covers, it's important to be able to take in what is different.

* You'll also need to think hard about what kind of effort and commitment you're going to invest in your training.

For most people, getting to the bottom of these areas tends to require the help of an experienced pro that can explain things properly. And we don't just mean the certifications - but also the commercial requirements besides.

A useful feature provided by many trainers is a programme of Job Placement assistance. The service is put in place to help you find your first job in the industry. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it isn't unusual for eager sales people to overplay it. In reality, the massive skills shortage in the UK is the reason you'll find a job.

Ideally you should have help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews though; additionally, we would recommend all students to work on polishing up their CV as soon as they start a course - don't delay for when you're ready to start work. It's possible that you won't have even qualified when you land your first junior support position; yet this can't and won't happen if interviewers don't get sight of your CV. Generally, you'll receive better results from a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service than you'll get from a training course provider's employment division, as they'll know the local area and commercial needs better.

Essentially, as long as you put the same commitment into getting your first IT position as into training, you're not likely to experience problems. Some trainees strangely spend hundreds of hours on their training course and just give up once certified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they're there.

One interesting way that training providers make more money is through up-front charges for exams and offering an exam guarantee. It looks impressive, but let's just examine it more closely:

It's very clear we're still being charged for it - it's quite obvious to see that it's been added into the gross price invoiced by the college. It's definitely not free (although some people will believe anything the marketing companies think up these days!) Trainees who go in for their examinations when it's appropriate, funding them one at a time are far more likely to pass first time. They're mindful of what they've paid and prepare more appropriately to be up to the task.

Do your exams somewhere close to home and go for the best offer you can find when you're ready. What's the point in paying early for exam fees when you don't need to? A great deal of money is made by companies getting paid upfront for exams - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. Pay heed to the fact that, in the majority of cases of 'exam guarantees' - the company controls how often and when you can re-take the exam. You'll have to prove conclusively that you can pass before they'll pay for another exam.

Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on an 'Exam Guarantee' is naive - when study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will get you through.

Always expect an authorised exam preparation system as part of your training package. Be sure that the simulated exams are not just posing the correct questions from the right areas, but also asking them in the way the real exams will structure them. It throws students if the phraseology and format is completely different. Ensure that you request some practice exams in order to check your knowledge at any point. Practice or 'mock' exams will help to boost your attitude - so the actual exam is much easier.

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