If we didn't have a steady stream of knowledgeable PC and network support personnel, industry in the United Kingdom (and around the world) could well grind to a halt. Therefore, there's an ever growing demand for men and women with technical ability to support both the users themselves and their networks. As we're all becoming growingly reliant on advanced technology, we in turn inevitably become more dependent on the well trained network engineers, who maintain those systems.

Those that are drawn to this type of work are often very practical, and don't always take well to classrooms, and endless reading of dry academic textbooks. If you identify with this, try the newer style of interactive study, where you can learn everything on-screen. Many studies have proved that long term memory is improved when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get practically involved in what we're studying.

Learning is now available in disc format, so everything is learned directly from your own PC. Through video streaming, you can watch instructors demonstrating how to perform the required skill, and then have a go at it yourself - via the interactive virtual lab's. It would be silly not to view some examples of the kind of training materials you'll be using before you purchase a course. What you want are videoed instructor demonstrations and interactive modules with audio-visual elements.

Often, companies will only use purely on-line training; and although this is okay the majority of the time, consider how you'll deal with it if you lose your internet access or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. It is usually safer to have physical CD or DVD discs that will not have these problems.

A key training program will incorporate wholly authorised exam preparation systems. Don't fall foul of depending on unauthorised exam preparation systems. Their phraseology can be completely unlike authorised versions - and sometimes this can be a real headache in the actual examination. You should make sure you verify your depth of understanding by doing quizzes and simulated exams before you take the real thing.

A fatal Faux-Pas that students everywhere can make is to look for the actual course to take, and not focus on the desired end-result. Universities are brimming over with unaware students that chose a program because it looked interesting - in place of something that could gain them the career they desired. Don't let yourself become one of the unfortunate masses who choose a training program that seems 'fun' or 'interesting' - only to end up with a qualification for a career they'll never really get any satisfaction from.

Prioritise understanding the expectations of your industry. What precise certifications they'll want you to gain and how you'll go about getting some commercial experience. Spend some time setting guidelines as to how far you reckon you're going to want to build your skill-set as often it can present a very specific set of certifications. Sense dictates that you look for advice and guidance from an industry professional before making your final decision on some particular study programme, so you're sure from the outset that the specific package will give the skills for the job being sought.

One feature that many training companies provide is a programme of Job Placement assistance. It's intention is to help you get your first commercial position. The fact of the matter is it isn't a complex operation to get your first job - once you're trained and certified; the growing UK skills shortage sees to that.

Nevertheless, don't wait till you've finished your training before bringing your CV up to date. The day you start training, enter details of your study programme and place it on jobsites! Getting onto the 'maybe' pile of CV's is more than not being regarded at all. A surprising amount of junior jobs are given to students (sometimes when they've only just got going.) Generally, an independent and specialised local recruitment consultant or service - who make their money when they've found you a job - will perform better than any centralised training company's service. In addition, they will no doubt know local industry and the area better.

A common grievance for a number of training companies is how hard trainees are prepared to work to become certified, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the role they have trained for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.

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