computeach and such like

[yankeedoodle]

ok this is a bit boring, but im after recommendations/advice. I'm currently looking for a good job or possible career and I'm interested in ICT. My dad spoke 2 a networking technician who came into his work about how to get qualified for decent ICT and networking jobs etc. He said that being Microsoft of Cisco certified is a huge benefit.

So i've done a bit of research and found that Computeach offer these certifications. Computeach is one of these companies who sends the meterials to your home for you to study in your own time.

Has anyone else dealt with this company or a similar one?
Am i looking in the right direction? I want a job in networking and/or the hardware side of computers such as an ICT support technician

Much help appreciated

[chrisw]

Maximum wage for a deskside support/helpdesk/desktop analyst/what ever else they call the job of fixing computers is about £15 - 19k (the higher end being in a major city), in London you may be able to push it a little higher with a few years experiance.
Its not a skilled job anymore, pretty much any school leaver can fix a computer these days and because of that the wages have dropped accordingly.

If I was looking to get into IT now I wouldn't bother with things like 'Computeach'. The way I've seen most deskside staff get into their jobs is by working at any random job in a largeish company and waiting for a helpdesk job to come up. Its hardly the quickest way but it seems to work for a lot of people.

Don't expect to earn much without specialising in something either. Just basic M$ qualifications mean little these days (not to any employer that actually knows what to look for in IT staff anyway).

Cisco qualifications are usual pretty good but they come at a price (finacially and prospects). Specialising in Cisco gear ties you into larger companies or ISPs, smaller companies have no need to employ someone to configure a couple of switches and a router. Don't get me wrong, there is still money to be had there but its much more dependant on experiance than typical deskside stuff.

If you are happy to start at the helpdesk level, make sure you start somewhere where there is actually some prospects. IT depts. are usually quite static but if the company is expanding its usually cheaper to train existing staff who are willing than it is to employ more people.

Not sure if any of that helped, but its just stuff I've noticed working in the 'industry' for a while now, well, 10 years this year! I feel old

[bazza]

Computeach are little more than a con. You take out a big loan to cover the entire cost of the course and they hope you never finish it, but you still have to pay the loan back.

CCNA is the qual to go for. (Cisco Certified Network Associate)

Info and courses here: https://training.gbdirect.co.uk/courses/cisco/CCNA_Cisco_Certified_Network_Associate.html

Just do the first part for CCENT, and then get Linux certified (LPI 101): https://training.gbdirect.co.uk/courses/linux/

It'll still cost less than Computeach and you end up with recognised quals, not some mickey mouse ones...

<cough>MCSE</cough>
____________________
"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter