If your search is for Cisco training but you’ve no working knowledge of routers, what you need is a CCNA. This program has been designed to instruct individuals with a working knowledge of routers. Large companies that have a number of branches rely on routers to connect computer networks in different rooms to allow their networks to keep in touch. The Internet is also built up of hundreds of thousands of routers.

As routers are connected to networks, find a course that includes basic networking skills – perhaps Network+ and A+, prior to starting your CCNA course. You’ll need some knowledge of how networks operate before getting going with Cisco or you may be out of your depth. Once qualified and looking for work, networking skills will be valuable in addition to the CCNA.

Get on a specially designed course that covers everything to make sure that you have comprehensive skills and abilities before getting going with Cisco.

Many trainers provide mainly work-books and reference manuals. Learning like this is dull and repetitive and not ideal for remembering. Where we can involve all our senses in the learning process, our results will often be quite spectacular.

Interactive audio-visual materials involving demonstration and virtual lab’s will forever turn you away from traditional book study. And they’re a lot more fun to do. It makes sense to see examples of the courseware provided before you sign the purchase order. What you want are video tutorials, instructor demo’s and interactive modules with audio-visual elements.

You’ll find that many companies will only provide purely on-line training; while you can get away with this much of the time, consider what happens when you don’t have access to the internet or you only get very a very slow connection sometimes. It’s much safer to rely on DVD or CD discs which don’t suffer from these broadband issues.

A proficient and professional consultant (vs a salesman) will want to thoroughly discuss your abilities and experience. This is vital for working out your starting level of study. An important point to note is that, if you have some relevant previous certification, then you may be able to begin at a different level to a trainee with no history to speak of. For those students commencing IT study anew, you might like to ease in gradually, beginning with some basic user skills first. This can easily be incorporated into most training packages.

Authorised exam simulation and preparation packages are essential – and really must be obtained from your training company. Avoid depending on unofficial exam papers and questions. The type of questions asked can be quite different – and often this creates real issues when it comes to taking the real exam. ‘Mock’ or practice exams are enormously valuable as a resource to you – so that when you come to take your actual exams, you don’t get uptight.

There are a plethora of professional positions up for grabs in IT. Arriving at the correct choice for yourself is generally problematic. After all, if you’ve got no know-how of the IT market, what chance is there for you to know what a particular IT employee actually does day-to-day? Let alone decide on which training route is the most likely for you to get there. Reflection on these issues is essential if you need to reveal the right answer for you:

* Our personalities play a starring role – what kind of areas spark your interest, and what tasks put a frown on your face.

* Why it seems right stepping into IT – it could be you’re looking to achieve a life-long goal like being your own boss for example.

* What salary and timescale needs that are important to you?

* Because there are so many ways to train in computing – there’s a need to get some key facts on what makes them different.

* What effort, commitment and time you’re prepared to set aside for the training program.

When all is said and done, your only chance of covering these is by means of a meeting with an advisor who through years of experience will be able to guide you.

At the top of your shopping list for a training program should be full 24×7 support via trained professional instructors and mentors. Far too often we see trainers who only seem to want to help while they’re in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends. You’ll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and telephone support is usually to a call-centre that will just take down the issue and email it over to their technical team – who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you’re there), at a time suitable for them. This is all next to useless if you’re sitting there confused over an issue and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.

Keep your eyes open for training programs that use several support centres from around the world. Each one should be integrated to offer a simple interface and also access round-the-clock, when it suits you, with no hassle. Look for a training school that cares. Because only round-the-clock 24×7 support truly delivers for technical programs.

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