If you're hoping to change job, you'll find many options.
If you're apprehensive about changing jobs - then join the club!
Changing jobs is a massive step; therefore we've compiled this website to kick things off with a wide array of information on possible paths.
Just click on the right hand button Titles to read more...
Are you the person everybody turns to when they want to know how to do something with their PC? Then why not turn IT into a career?
You can train for professional qualifications in a diverse range of information technology subjects. Survival would now be impossible for most businesses without the input of skilled and qualified IT personnel.
It's probably worthwhile at this point to define the difference between developer skills and office computer skills. If you're interested in improving and extending your user skills, you may wish to look for training that covers the different Microsoft Office applications. You'll find there are many courses available that will give you a very good grounding in the application you need - be that PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Word, Access or Publisher. For an excellent grounding in a range of office skills look for the European Computer Driving Licence.
There are no job guarantees in this day and age, but don't forget that the computer industry remained buoyant for longer than most at the start of the recession.
Correspondingly as the economy starts to build pace again IT must claim a key role. And let's not forget how absorbing it can be working in such a cutting-edge environment. We're going to see huge changes in the not so distant future because of the developments taking place in IT.
Don't miss out on the excitement of being part of this truly great movement.
IT training courses vary a great deal in subject matter and method of delivery because of the wealth of different jobs. Some jobs demand a lot of mobility, in contrast to others that ask you to sit at a desk all day. Some jobs are described as very hands on, whilst others might be thought of as more abstract. Then some involve a great deal of interaction and support, whilst others are mostly solitary and private.
Now if commercial IT training is new to you, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions about the various job opportunities within the industry. Find out what the daily working life would be like before you opt for a particular training course. Glean as much knowledge as possible from the experts in their field.
Careers in Networking and Support are in great demand throughout the country and internationally. You could retrain to work on a Helpdesk, or as an Engineer or a Technician.
Work in Support covers a wide range, and also there are roles in Network Administration and Communications. In addition, Systems Planning and Design work could be a good match for you.
This work covers a very broad brush - we're talking technical support in PC World at one end, to international troubleshooting at the other.
You could start your career solving other people's PC or network problems, and steadily progress as you build your experience and certifications to designing major security systems.
The commercial world can only function as it does because of the abilities of people in these areas. Without technical engineers and problem-solvers the commercial world as we know it would grind to a halt.
As time goes by, we're seeing a huge increase in the numbers of computers being used in offices around the world. As they can't operate without trained staff, computer technicians are always in demand. Do you have the aptitude to learn how to fault-find, analyse and diagnose technical problems? If the answer to that question is 'Yes', then a CompTIA or Microsoft Networking certification could well be an excellent option for you.
Job security is one reason to make sure your training leads to accredited certifications. And once you've built your on-the-job knowledge as well, you'll be considered for more promotions and have greater credibility than those who skipped the training and exams. It's well known that IT salaries are higher than average, and as a professionally qualified networker with three years experience you could expect to command an income in the region of 35k.
It's not unusual to come across people who have a certain knowledge of the way networks are run, and of PC software and hardware. Whilst many of them will be an asset to a company, a manager can't be certain they're employing the best person for the work.
When someone has taken the trouble to become commercially certified, an employer knows exactly what that person is capable of, and to what standard.
Employees with commercial certifications have been shown to be faster, more confident and more dependable in their work than their non-certified colleagues. In addition to being confident that an individual has the right skill-set, an employer also knows that a fully qualified employee has demonstrated a dedication and commitment to his or her technical learning. At the end of the day, some companies won't employ non-qualified technical staff to deal with anything but the mundane because their insurance contracts won't allow it.