Of course: the training itself or the accreditation is not the ultimate goal; the particular job that you want is. A lot of colleges seem to place too much importance on the qualification itself. It's common, in some situations, to get a great deal of enjoyment from a year of study only to end up putting 20 long years into a career that does nothing for you, simply because you did it without the correct level of soul-searching when you should've - at the outset.

It's essential to keep your focus on where you want to go, and formulate your training based on that - avoid getting them back-to-front. Keep your eyes on your goals - making sure you're training for an end-result that'll reward you for many long and fruitful years. Chat with an experienced advisor that understands the work you're contemplating, and could provide a detailed description of what you're going to be doing in that job. Establishing this before commencement of any study course has obvious benefits.

The age-old way of teaching, with books and manuals, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If this describes you, look for learning programmes that are on-screen and interactive. Learning psychology studies show that we remember much more when all our senses are involved, and we take action to use what we've learned.

You can now study via self-contained CD or DVD materials. By watching and listening to instructors on video tutorials you'll take everything in through their teaching and demonstrations. Knowledge can then be tested by using practice-lab's. Be sure to get a study material demo' from any training college. You should ask for expert-led demonstrations, slideshows and virtual practice lab's for your new skills.

It is generally unwise to select online only courseware. With highly variable reliability and quality from most broadband providers, it makes sense to have CD or DVD ROM based materials.

You have to be sure that all your certifications are current and also valid commercially - don't bother with programmes that only give in-house certificates. From an employer's perspective, only the major heavyweights such as Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe (to give some examples) will open the right doors. Anything less won't make the grade.

'In-Centre workshop days' get touted as a great facet by some training companies. If you talk to the majority of computer industry trainees who've attended a few, you'll discover that they're really a major problem as they hadn't properly considered the following:

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

- Weekday only access with classes is typically the case, and with two or three days required at a time, this can be difficult for many working people.

- Don't ignore lost vacation time. We typically get 4 weeks annual leave. If half of that is used up on workshops, then we haven't got much left for ourselves.

- 'In-Centre' workshop days normally become quickly full, so we end up having to take a slot that doesn't really suit.

- Maybe you like to work at a different pace to others in the class. This can create a classic case of 'classroom tension'.

- A lot of attendees speak about the high (and unexpected) costs associated with all the travelling back and forth to the training facility while covering the cost of accommodation and food can get very expensive.

- Many students want study privacy thus avoiding all repercussions in their work.

- We all feel awkward about asking questions in a class full of other students - because none of us wants to look like we don't understand.

- For those who have work away from home, you now have to deal with the fact that events now become awkward to keep up - unfortunately however, they've already been paid for.

To find a more flexible route, make use of filmed classes in the comfort of your own chosen environment - studying at your own pace, when it suits you - not anybody else. Training can take place wherever it suits you. If your PC is a laptop, take in some sunshine in your garden as you learn. Any problems and utilise the 24x7 Support. Simply watch and re-watch the study modules as often as you want to. And of course, you don't have to jot down any notes as you'll have direct access to the instruction whenever you want to go back to it. The final upshot: Reduced stress and hassle, saved money, and travelling is removed.

Including examination fees as an inclusive element of the package price then including an exam guarantee is common for a good many training companies. Consider the facts:

It's very clear we're ultimately paying for it - obviously it has been inserted into the full cost of the package supplied by the college. It's definitely not free (it's just marketing companies think we'll fall for anything they say!) Passing first time is everyone's goal. Entering examinations one at a time and paying for them just before taking them puts you in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt - you revise thoroughly and are mindful of the investment you've made.

Shouldn't you be looking to not pay up-front, but when you're ready, not to pay any mark-up to the training company, and to take it closer to home - rather than possibly hours away from your area? Paying upfront for examinations (and interest charges if you're borrowing money) is bad financial management. Why fill a company's coffers with your hard-earned cash just to give them more interest! Many will hope you won't get round to taking them - then they'll keep the extra money. You should fully understand that re-takes through organisations who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are monitored with tight restrictions. They will insist that you take pre-tests first till you've proven conclusively that you can pass.

Exams taken at VUE and Prometric centres are in the region of 112 pounds in this country. Why pay exorbitant charges for 'Exam Guarantees' (most often hidden in the package) - when good quality study materials, the proper support and exam preparation systems and a dose of commitment and effort are what's required.

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