Workshop days get touted as an important element by many training academies. When you chat with many IT trainees who've attended a few, you'll begin to see a common thread - they are viewed as a waste of time because of many things:

- Masses of driving back and forth from the workshops - usually 100's of miles.

- If you're working, then Monday to Friday workshops represent a difficulty in getting time off. Typically you are looking at 2-3 days at a time as well.

- Lost holiday days - many students only get 4 weeks annual leave. If over half of it is swallowed up by training events, vacation time is going to be quite short for most student's families.

- Training workshops typically end up far too big.

- Many students want to study at a somewhat more suitable pace - rather than be dictated to by the rest of the class. This creates classic classroom tension.

- The cost of travel - driving or taking public transport backwards and forwards to the training premises together with bed and breakfast for the night can mount up each time you attend. Assuming just five to ten centre-days at a cost of 35 pounds for one night's accommodation, plus 40 pounds petrol and food at 15.00, we arrive at four to nine hundred pounds of hidden costs on top.

- Many trainees want their studies to remain private to avoid any kind of management questions at work.

- Most of us find it difficult to ask questions when surrounded by our fellow attendees - to avoid appearing stupid.

- Working and living away - many trainees find themselves working or living away for certain parts of the program. Days in-centre are very difficult then, unfortunately you've already coughed up the readies with your initial fees.

A more flexible training route is to exploit videoed classes at home, in comfort - studying at your own pace, when it suits you - not some other person. Study from home on your PC or why not in the garden on a laptop. If you have any questions, then make use of the 24x7 support (that should come with any technical program.) It doesn't matter how often you feel you need to repeat something, on-screen instructors won't ever lose patience! And don't forget, with this method, you don't have to worry about any note-taking. Everything's laid out there for immediate use. While this doesn't remove all study problems, it definitely removes stress and makes things simpler. You've also got less hassle, costs and travel.

After the 'CCNA', qualification tracks are varied & might include a specialization in Wireless or Security fields, or you could consider moving to the CCNP ('Cisco Certified Networking Professional'.) The step-up from 'CCNA' to the 'CCNP' is rather big, so it is advisable to concentrate on completing the 'CCNA' initially. Gain the 'CCNA' & get a job with Cisco networks for 12 to 24 months before moving on to any 'CCNP' training program. However if you have already been in IT for a while, & have already achieved a qualification that compares to the CCNA (for instance whilst in the military) you might be able to move directly onto 'CCNP'. Fundamentally companies need to know that anybody with very advanced accreditations has had an appropriate level of practical experience to go with them.

You have to make sure that all your exams are current and what employers are looking for - forget courses which lead to some in-house certificate (which is as useless as if you'd printed it yourself). The main industry leaders such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA have nationally acknowledged proficiency programmes. These heavyweights can make sure you stand out at interview.

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