If Professional I.T. employment is the end goal, you could start your training in IT Support work. Typically, if you're going to deliver software support to users inside a corporate environment, the MCDST ('Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician') is probably suitable. You'll typically be looking at approximately 100 hrs of study with this grade.

We come onto full IT career training courses at the next level. To obtain a position working in hardware support or network support you should think about taking 'A+' and Network+ accreditations from 'CompTIA'. As well as covering the basics of hardware & networks, you'll learn about trouble-shooting, support, administration & security. A training program that teaches both should take around 200 - 250 hours to get through. This means an individual studying part time around a full-time job could feasibly be at the exam stage in 6 months' time.

In essence, the starting point for a complete beginner, who simply would like to get a basic idea of how to get more out of their laptop or computer, is the European Computer Driving Licence. It will deal with how to run the basic elements of 'Windows' (the system which 'runs' nearly all personal PC's.) You will understand the way to log-in to the internet, and the way to get on to and navigate web-sites and handle e-mail. A bit is also covered on how to use spreadsheets and do a little word processing.

The next step is to do a bit more formal training to further improve your Curriculum Vitae or get you prepared for extra functions at work. A competent working knowledge of Microsoft Office is the next reasonable step. The main certifications are the Microsoft 'Office Specialist' ('MOS') and the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS.) The 'MOS' is based around the Microsoft 'Office' 2003 environment under Windows XP (which is still probably the most popular in business), whereas the MCAS features Windows 'Vista' & Office 2007, so might be better suited for the future. Each Microsoft Office application is examined individually with each of the certifications, specifically - "Excel" for 'spreadsheets', Access for data-bases, "Powerpoint" for presentations & 'Word' for word processing. These accreditations will indicate to an employer that you're effectively trained to implement these packages to their fullest level.

Your training program should always include the latest Microsoft (or relevant organisation's) authorised simulation materials and exam preparation packages. Due to the fact that the majority of IT examination boards come from the United States, it's essential to understand how exam questions will be phrased and formatted. You can't practice properly by just going through the right questions - they need to be in the proper exam format. Simulations and practice exams can be very useful as a resource to you - so much so, that at your actual exams, you won't be worried.

Be watchful that any exams you're working towards will be commercially viable and are bang up to date. 'In-house' certificates are often meaningless. Unless the accreditation comes from a company like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe, then you'll probably find it could have been a waste of time and effort - as it'll be an unknown commodity.

Microsoft Office Home-Study Career Certification Training >>