Whether you’re new to the industry, or an experienced technician looking to gain accredited qualifications, there are state-of-the-art Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) courses that are suitable for both student levels.

To become certified at the level of MCSA there are four MCP’s (Microsoft Certified Professional exams) needed to be passed. If you’re new to IT, it’s possible you will be required to have some coaching prior to having a go at the MCP exams. Identify a training company that has a team of advisors who can guide you towards the best way forward for you and can match a course start point to your current skill set.

Many training companies will only offer basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); most won’t answer after 8-9pm at the latest and frequently never at the weekends.

You’ll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and telephone support is usually to a call-centre who will make some notes and then email an advisor – who will attempt to call you within 24-48 hrs, at a time suitable for them. This isn’t a lot of good if you’re sitting there confused over an issue and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.

The very best training providers incorporate three or four individual support centres across multiple time-zones. Online access provides the interactive interface to provide a seamless experience, at any time you choose, help is just a click away, without any problems or delays.

Never make do with less than you need and deserve. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only way to go with IT learning. It’s possible you don’t intend to study late evenings; but for most of us, we’re at work at the time when most support is available.

The right sort of package of training will undoubtedly incorporate fully authorised simulation materials and exam preparation packages.

As most IT examining boards tend to be American, you’ll need to be used to the correct phraseology. You can’t practice properly by just answering any old technical questions – they must be in an exam format that exactly replicates the real thing.

Simulations and practice exams are invaluable for confidence building – then when the time comes for you to take your actual exams, you don’t get uptight.

The somewhat scary thought of securing your first IT job is often relieved by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance facility. Often, people are too impressed with this facility, because it’s really not that difficult for a well trained and motivated person to find work in this industry – as employers are keen to find appropriately well trained people.

Having said that, it’s important to have CV and Interview advice and support though; also we would encourage any student to bring their CV up to date right at the beginning of their training – don’t delay for when you’re ready to start work.

A good number of junior support jobs have been bagged by people who are still learning and haven’t even passed a single exam yet. At least this will get you into the ‘maybe’ pile of CV’s – rather than the ‘No’ pile.

Normally you’ll get better performance from a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service than you will through a training course provider’s recruitment division, as they’ll know local industry and the area better.

Do ensure you don’t put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, then call a halt and leave it up to everyone else to secure your first position. Get off your backside and make your own enquiries. Channel as much resource into finding the right position as you did to get trained.

People attracted to this sort of work are usually quite practically-minded, and don’t really enjoy classrooms, and endless reading of dry academic textbooks. If this is putting you off studying, opt for more involving, interactive learning materials, where everything is presented via full motion video.

If we’re able to involve all our senses in the learning process, our results will often be quite spectacular.

Fully interactive motion videos with demonstrations and practice sessions beat books hands-down. And you’ll find them fun and interesting.

It’s imperative to see the type of training provided by each company you’re contemplating. You’ll want to see that they include video, demonstrations and various interactive elements.

Plump for disc based courseware (On CD or DVD) every time. This then avoids all the potential pitfalls with broadband outages, failure and signal quality issues etc.

(C) S. Edwards 2009. Visit Web Design Courses or AdultCareersAdvice.co.uk/ACAU.html.