Many people question why academic qualifications are being overtaken by more commercially accredited qualifications? The IT sector is of the opinion that for an understanding of the relevant skills, certified accreditation from companies such as Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA is far more effective and specialised - at a far reduced cost both money and time wise. Of course, a reasonable portion of background knowledge must be learned, but essential specifics in the areas needed gives a commercially educated person a real head start.

In simple terms: Accredited IT qualifications give employers exactly what they're looking for - it says what you do in the title: for example, I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Planning and Maintaining a Windows 2003 Infrastructure'. Therefore companies can look at the particular needs they have and which qualifications are required to fulfil that.

A short while ago Microsoft brought up-to-date their main certification tracks. They up-graded from their previous 'MCAD/MCSD' (Microsoft Certified Application/Solutions Developer) examinations to the 'MCTS' (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) & the MCPD ('Microsoft Certified Professional Developer') examinations. Before you undertake the full MCPD exam, you need to complete two 'MCTS' programs initially. Don't be misled by the fact that Microsoft specify their very first unit a foundation module. If you're a new comer to programming, look at taking a programming introductory course first of all. We'd also propose taking a support certification ahead of all of this, in order to gain a suitable knowledge of software environments and support. You can then get into the market doing support-work while you go on with your studies. An entire career-track will require about six to seven hundred hours of study time, so if you are studying part time you will be able to complete within approximately 12 to 18 months.

Commencing with the understanding that we have to home-in on the employment that excites us first, before we can contemplate which method of training meets that requirement, how do we know the right path? Working through lists of IT career possibilities is just a waste of time. The vast majority of us have no concept what our good friends do at work - so we have no hope of understanding the ins and outs of a specific IT job. Ultimately, any kind of right answer really only appears through a detailed examination covering many different areas:

- The sort of individual you think yourself to be - what kind of jobs you find interesting, and conversely - what you definitely don't enjoy.

- Why it seems right getting involved with Information Technology - is it to triumph over a particular goal such as being self-employed for example.

- What salary and timescale requirements you have?

- Always think in-depth about the amount of work needed to attain their desired level.

- You need to understand what differentiates the myriad of training options.

To be honest, your only option to investigate these matters tends to be through a good talk with an advisor that understands Information Technology (and chiefly it's commercial needs.)

Many trainers have a handy Job Placement Assistance service, to assist your search for your first position. Because of the massive skills shortage in the United Kingdom today, it's not too important to get too caught up in this feature though. It really won't be that difficult to land your first job once you're trained and certified.

However, don't leave it until you've passed your final exams before updating your CV. As soon as you start a course, mark down what you're doing and place it on jobsites! Various junior support roles are offered to trainees who are still learning and haven't even passed a single exam yet. At the very least this will get you on your way. In many cases, an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy (who will, of course, be keen to place you to receive their commission) will be more pro-active than a division of a training company. Also of course they should know the local area and commercial needs.

Please make sure you don't conscientiously work through your course materials, just to give up and expect somebody else to land you a job. Stand up for yourself and get out there. Invest the same time and energy into landing the right position as it took to pass the exams.

Don't forget: a actual training or a qualification isn't what this is about; a job you're training for is. Many trainers unfortunately over-emphasise the course or the qualification. Don't be one of those unfortunate students that choose a course that on the surface appears interesting - only to end up with a qualification for a job they hate.

Set targets for the income level you aspire to and whether you're an ambitious person or not. Often, this changes which precise exams you will need and what industry will expect from you in return. Talk to an experienced advisor that understands the work you're contemplating, and who'll explain to you an in-depth explanation of what you're going to be doing in that job. Contemplating this before starting out on a learning program will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.

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