In first place for the biggest issue to be got round in IT training can be attending multi-day workshops. Many training schools wax lyrical on the positive points of taking part in these events, but most students end up finding them a burden to be carried because of:

- Multiple round journeys - usually hundreds of miles each and every time.

- If you're working, then Monday to Friday workshops cause problems at work. You're usually facing 2-3 days at a time as well.

- With only 4 weeks annual leave, sacrificing half of them for training classes means we'll be hard-pushed to get a holiday with our families.

- 'In-Centre' workshop days fill up fast and can be very crammed in.

- The 'pace' - workshops often consist of students of varied abilities, consequently tension can be created between students with more background knowledge and those who prefer a more relaxed pace.

- Never forget the extra cost of arranging transport or accommodation either. This can run to 00's or even 000's extra. Take some time to add it all up - you'll get a shock.

- Keeping your training private from your employer can be very important to many attendees. You don't want to throw away any job advancement, pay-rises or success at your current job just because you're retraining. If your work discovers you're putting yourself through accreditation in another sector, what are they going to be thinking?

- Asking questions around our class-mates often makes any one of us feel uncomfortable. Have you ever left a question un-asked because you honestly thought you might seem thick?

- More often than not, classes become simply undoable, in cases where you live away for days at a time.

Wouldn't it be better to watch a video and be trained by instructors one-to-one in ready-made classes, working on them at your convenience - not somebody else's. Study at home on your PC or use your laptop to enjoy the sun. If you have any questions, then use the provided 24x7 live support (that we hope you'll insist on with any technical courses.) You could watch and re-watch the study modules as many times as you want or need. There's absolutely no need to make notes as the teaching is yours forever. The final result: Much less stress and hassle, saved money, and you've avoided all travel.

Finding your first job in the industry can feel more straightforward with the help of a Job Placement Assistance facility. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it's easy for companies marketing departments to make too much of it. Ultimately, the massive skills shortage in Britain is why employers will be interested in you.

Ideally you should have CV and Interview advice and support though; additionally, we would recommend everybody to work on polishing up their CV the day they start training - don't delay until you've qualified. Quite frequently, you'll secure your first position whilst you're still studying (even in the early stages). If your CV doesn't say what you're learning (and it hasn't been posted on jobsites) then you don't stand a chance! The most efficient companies to help get you placed are most often specialist locally based employment services. As they will get paid by the employer when they've placed you, they have more incentive to get on with it.

Various people, it would appear, put a great deal of effort into their studies (for years sometimes), only to give up at the first hurdle when finding a good job. Sell yourself... Do everything you can to get yourself known. Don't think a job's just going to jump out in front of you.

Consider the facts below and pay great regard to them if you think that old marketing ploy of an 'Exam Guarantee' sounds great value:

Everybody's aware that they're ultimately paying for it - it's quite obvious to see that it's already been included in the full cost of the package supplied by the training company. Certainly, it's not a freebie - and it's insulting that we're supposed to think it is! It's well known in the industry that when students fund each examination, at the time of taking them, they'll be in a better position to pass first time - because they are conscious of what they've paid and therefore will put more effort into their preparation.

Do the examinations at a local pro-metric testing centre and find the best deal for you at the time. Many unscrupulous training providers make huge amounts of money through getting paid for exams at the start of the course and hoping that you won't take them all. Don't forget, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - you are not in control of when you are allowed to do a re-take. They'll only allow a re-take once completely satisfied.

VUE and Prometric examinations are in the region of 112 pounds in the UK. Why spend so much more on charges for 'Exam Guarantees' (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.

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