If you’re thinking of being a web designer, you will need to study Adobe Dreamweaver.

The whole Adobe Web Creative Suite ought also to be studied in detail. This will introduce you to Action Script and Flash, (and more), and could lead on to the ACP (Adobe Certified Professional) or an ACE (Adobe Certified Expert) certification.

The building of the website is just the start of what you’ll need – in order to drive traffic to the site, maintain its content, and work with dynamic database-driven sites, you will have to learn other programming skills, for example HTML, PHP and MySQL. In addition, you should gain an excellent grasp of E-Commerce and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).

We can’t make a big enough deal out of this point: You absolutely must have proper 24×7 instructor and mentor support. Later, you’ll kick yourself if you don’t.

Don’t buy training that only supports trainees via a call-centre messaging system after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Training schools will try to talk you round from this line of reasoning. The bottom line is – you need support when you need support – not when it suits them.

Keep looking and you’ll come across the top providers who recommend and use direct-access online support at all times – including evenings, nights and weekends.

Never settle for anything less. Direct-access 24×7 support is the only way to go with computer-based study. It’s possible you don’t intend to study late evenings; but for most of us, we’re at work while the support is live.

You should only consider retraining paths which move onto commercially accepted accreditations. There’s a plethora of trainers proposing minor ‘in-house’ certificates which aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on when you start your job-search.

You’ll discover that only industry recognised certification from companies such as Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco and CompTIA will open the doors to employers.

Adding in the cost of examination fees with the course fee and offering an ‘Exam Guarantee’ is a popular marketing tool with many training course providers. But look at the facts:

Thankfully, today we are a little more ‘marketing-savvy’ – and most of us realise that of course we’re actually paying for it – it’s not because they’re so generous they want to give something away!

People who take each progressive exam, paying for them just before taking them are far more likely to pass first time. They’re thoughtful of what they’ve paid and prepare more appropriately to ensure they are ready.

Do your exams at a local pro-metric testing centre and find the best exam deal or offer available then.

Considerable numbers of unscrupulous training companies secure a great deal of profit through charging for all the exam fees up-front then hoping that you won’t take them all.

Re-takes of any failed exams through training companies with an ‘Exam Guarantee’ are monitored with tight restrictions. They will insist that you take pre-tests first to make sure they think you’re going to pass.

Prometric and VUE exams are around 112 pounds in the UK. Why pay exorbitant fees for ‘exam guarantees’ (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) – when a quality course, support and exam preparation systems and a dose of commitment and effort are what’s required.

The perhaps intimidating chore of landing your first role in IT can be eased by some companies, via a Job Placement Assistance service. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though – it’s easy for training companies to overstate it’s need. Ultimately, the massive skills shortage in the United Kingdom is the reason you’ll find a job.

Work on polishing up your CV right away however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don’t delay till you’ve finished your exams.

You might not even have qualified when you land your first junior support job; although this isn’t going to happen unless your CV is with employers.

In many cases, a specialist locally based employment service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any division of a training company. In addition, they will no doubt be familiar with the local industry and employment needs.

A slight grievance for some training providers is how much people are prepared to study to get top marks in their exams, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the position they’ve qualified for. Get out there and hustle – you might find it’s fun.

(C) 2009 – S. Edwards. Check out Learn Graphic Design or CareerAlternatives.co.uk/pcaralt.html.

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