There are actually 4 different sectors in the full CompTIA A+ syllabus, but you\’re just required to achieve pass marks in 2 for competency in A+. Be aware though that only studying two of the four specialities could expose flaws in your knowledge when applying for a job. At least learn about all four – this will give you the edge in the working environment.
Qualifying in CompTIA A+ on its own will set you up to fix and maintain stand-alone PC\’s and MAC\’s; ones that are most often not part of a network – essentially the domestic or small business sector.
It could be a good idea to consider supplementing the A+ with Network + as it will enable you to take care of computer networks, which is where the bigger salaries are.
Remember: the actual training program or a qualification isn\’t what this is about; a job you\’re training for is. Far too many training organisations place too much importance on the piece of paper.
Never let yourself become part of that group who select a program that seems \’fun\’ or \’interesting\’ – and get to the final hurdle of an accreditation for a job they hate.
Stay tuned-in to what you want to achieve, and create a learning-plan from that – not the other way round. Keep on track and ensure that you\’re training for an end-result that\’ll reward you for many long and fruitful years.
We recommend that students always seek guidance and advice from a professional advisor before you begin a learning path, so you\’re sure from the outset that the content of a learning package provides the skills necessary.
We\’re often asked why academic qualifications are being replaced by more commercially accredited qualifications?
With a growing demand for specific technological expertise, the IT sector has moved to specific, honed-in training only available through the vendors themselves – in other words companies such as Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA. Frequently this is at a far reduced cost both money and time wise.
In a nutshell, students are simply taught the necessary specifics in depth. It\’s slightly more broad than that, but principally the objective has to be to cover the precise skills needed (alongside some required background) – without trying to cram in everything else – in the way that academic establishments often do.
Just as the old advertisement said: \’It does what it says on the tin\’. The company just needs to know what they need doing, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. They\’ll know then that all applicants can do what they need.
A service offered by some training providers is a programme of Job Placement assistance. The service is put in place to help you get your first commercial position. The fact of the matter is it isn\’t so complicated as you might think to land your first job – once you\’re trained and certified; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.
Ideally you should have help with your CV and interview techniques though; and we\’d encourage everyone to work on polishing up their CV right at the beginning of their training – don\’t procrastinate and leave it until you\’ve graduated or passed any exams.
It\’s not uncommon to find that junior support roles have been offered to students who are still learning and haven\’t got any qualifications yet. This will at least get you into the \’maybe\’ pile of CV\’s – rather than the \’No\’ pile.
Generally, you\’ll receive better performance from a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service than you will through a training provider\’s national service, as they\’ll know the local area and commercial needs better.
A good number of people, it would appear, conscientiously work through their course materials (for years sometimes), and then just stop instead of attempting to secure the right position. Sell yourself… Work hard to let employers know about you. Don\’t think a job\’s just going to jump out in front of you.
Can job security really exist anymore? In the UK for example, with businesses changing their mind on a whim, there doesn\’t seem much chance.
However, a marketplace with high growth, where staff are in constant demand (as there is a massive shortage of properly qualified professionals), enables the possibility of real job security.
The Information Technology (IT) skills shortage throughout the country falls in at approximately twenty six percent, as shown by the most recent e-Skills study. So, for each 4 job positions available in Information Technology (IT), companies are only able to locate enough qualified individuals for 3 of them.
This single truth on its own shows why the country urgently requires so many more new trainees to join the industry.
No better time or market conditions is ever likely to exist for getting trained into this quickly expanding and evolving business.
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