Two separate areas of study make up a full CompTIA A+; you're considered an A+ achiever when you've passed the test for both specialist areas. A+ certification without additional courses will set you up to fix and maintain laptops, Macs and PC's; ones that are generally not connected to a network - this generally applies to home use and small companies. Should you decide to add Network+ to your CompTIA A+ training course, you'll also have the ability to assist with or manage networks of computers, meaning you're in a position to move further up the career path.

We're regularly asked to explain why academic qualifications are being overtaken by more commercial certifications? With 3 and 4 year academic degree costs spiralling out of control, and the industry's recognition that vendor-based training is often far more commercially relevant, we've seen a large rise in Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA accredited training programmes that supply key solutions to a student for considerably less. Academic courses, as a example, become confusing because of too much background study - and a syllabus that's too generalised. Students are then held back from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.

Just as the old advertisement said: 'It does what it says on the label'. Companies need only to know what they need doing, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. That way they can be sure they're interviewing applicants who can do the job.

One feature provided by many trainers is a Job Placement Assistance program. The service is put in place to steer you into your first IT role. With the massive skills shortage in the UK today, there's no need to make too much of this option though. It's actually not as hard as some people make out to get the right work as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications.

However, what is relevant is to have advice and support about your CV and interviews though; also we would encourage everybody to get their CV updated right at the beginning of their training - don't wait until you've qualified. It's possible that you won't have even passed your first exam when you land your first junior support position; although this won't be the case if interviewers don't get sight of your CV. Normally you'll get quicker results from a specialised and independent local recruitment service than any training course provider's employment division, because they'll know the local area and commercial needs better.

A regular aggravation for various training providers is how much men and women are focused on studying to get qualified, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the role they're trained for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.

Starting from the viewpoint that it makes sense to locate the job we want to do first and foremost, before we're even able to mull over which career development program meets that requirement, how do we decide on the right path? As with no commercial background in Information Technology, in what way could we be expected to understand what any job actually involves? The key to answering this dilemma appropriately stems from a deep conversation around several areas:

* Your personality type and interests - the sort of work-oriented areas you enjoy or dislike.

* Is your focus to get qualified because of a certain motive - i.e. are you pushing to work based from home (working for yourself?)?

* Does salary have a higher place on your priority-list than anything else.

* Getting to grips with what typical Information technology types and sectors are - and what makes them different.

* The level of commitment and effort you'll have available to put into obtaining your certification.

At the end of the day, the only real way of understanding everything necessary is through a long chat with an experienced advisor that knows the industry well enough to be able to guide you.

An advisor that doesn't question you thoroughly - chances are they're really a salesperson. If they're pushing towards a particular product before understanding your background and experience, then it's definitely the case. If you have a strong background, or sometimes a little work-based experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it's likely the level you'll need to start at will be different from a trainee who has no experience. If you're a student beginning IT exams and training for the first time, it can be useful to break yourself in gently, by working on a user-skills course first. Usually this is packaged with most accreditation programs.

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