When you decide upon a training program it is very important that the certification it leads to appropriates with industries needs. In addition, ensure that the subject will suit you, and your personal ability level. Whether you want to improve your computer user skills, or would like to achieve professional IT certifications, there are plain-speaking courses and back-up to give you the chance you've been looking for.

By concentrating on service and delivery, there are training providers today supplying modern courses with excellent training and guidance for a fraction of the prices charged by more out-dated organisations.

Potential trainees hoping to begin an IT career often haven't a clue which route to follow, let alone which area to get certified in. What chances do most of us have of understanding the many facets of a particular career when it's an alien environment to us? Most likely we have never met anyone who works in that sector anyway. Reflection on several areas is essential if you want to expose the right answer for you:

* Personalities play a starring part - what kind of areas spark your interest, and what tasks really turn you off.

* What sort of time-frame do you want for the retraining?

* What are your thoughts on salary vs the travel required?

* Because there are so many different sectors to gain certifications for in Information Technology - you will have to get some background information on what differentiates them.

* Having a cold, hard look into the effort, commitment and time that you're going to put into it.

For the average person, getting to the bottom of each of these concepts needs a long talk with a professional that can explain things properly. And we don't just mean the accreditations - you also need to understand the commercial requirements of the market as well.

You should look for an accredited exam preparation programme as part of your training package. Make sure that the simulated exams haven't just got questions on the correct subjects, but ask them in the way the real exams will ask them. This throws students if the questions are phrased in unfamiliar formats. Clearly, it is vital to know that you're completely ready for your actual certification exam prior to going for it. Rehearsing 'mock' exams adds to your knowledge bank and will save a lot of money on wasted exam attempts.

You should only consider retraining programs that progress to industry accepted exams. There are loads of trainers suggesting minor 'in-house' certificates which aren't worth the paper they're printed on in today's commercial market. If your certification doesn't come from a major player like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco, then chances are it could have been a waste of time and effort - as no-one will have heard of it.

Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance service, designed to steer you into your first job. Having said that, occasionally too much is made of this feature, as it is genuinely quite straightforward for a well trained and motivated person to find work in the IT environment - because there's a great need for qualified personnel.

Ideally you should have help with your CV and interview techniques though; also we would encourage everybody to update their CV as soon as training commences - don't delay for when you're ready to start work. A good number of junior support roles are offered to people who are still learning and have still to get qualified. This will at the very least get you on your way. The top companies to help get you placed are usually specialist independent regional recruitment consultancies. As they're keen to place you to receive their commission, they have more incentive to get on with it.

Do be sure that you don't put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, and then just stop and leave it up to everyone else to find you a job. Get off your backside and get on with the job. Put as much energy and enthusiasm into getting your new role as you did to gain the skills.

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