If your dream is to become a great web designer and have the most recognised qualification for the current working environment, the course you need is Adobe Dreamweaver. In order to take advantage of Dreamweaver commercially in web design, an in-depth understanding of the complete Adobe Web Creative Suite (which includes Flash and Action Script) is something to consider very seriously. Having such skills means, you could subsequently become an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) or Adobe Certified Professional (ACP).

In order to establish yourself as a full web professional however, there are other things to consider. You'll need to study various programming essentials like PHP, HTML, and MySQL. A firm grounding in E-Commerce and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) will also improve your CV and employability.

It's not uncommon for companies to offer inclusive exam guarantees - they always involve paying for the exam fees up-front, before you've even made a start on the course. However, prior to embracing this so-called guarantee, be aware of the facts:

We all know that we're still being charged for it - obviously it has already in the overall figure from the course provider. It's absolutely not free - don't think these companies are so generous with their money! Trainees who take each progressive exam, paying as they go are much better placed to get through first time. They're thoughtful of what they've paid and revise more thoroughly to ensure they are ready.

Doesn't it make more sense to not pay up-front, but when you take the exam, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance to the training college, and to take it closer to home - instead of the remote centre that's convenient only to the trainer? Paying upfront for examinations (and interest charges if you're borrowing money) is madness. Why fill a company's coffers with your money simply to help their cash-flow! Some will be pinning their hopes on the fact that you won't get to do them all - but they won't refund the cash. Remember, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - the company decides when you are allowed to have another go. You will have to demonstrate an excellent pass-rate before they'll approve a re-take.

Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on 'Exam Guarantees' is short-sighted - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is what will really see you through.

A number of trainees think that the traditional school, college or university track is the right way even now. So why then are commercial certificates becoming more in demand? Key company training (to use industry-speak) is far more effective and specialised. Industry has become aware that this level of specialised understanding is what's needed to meet the requirements of an acceleratingly technical world. Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA are the key players in this arena. They do this through focusing on the actual skills required (along with an appropriate level of related knowledge,) as opposed to going into the heightened depths of background detail and 'fluff' that degree courses are prone to get tied up in - to pad out the syllabus.

Think about if you were the employer - and you needed to take on someone with a very particular skill-set. What is easier: Pore through a mass of different academic qualifications from hopeful applicants, having to ask what each has covered and what workplace skills they have, or choose a specific set of accreditations that exactly fulfil your criteria, and then select who you want to interview from that. You'll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than establishing whether they can do a specific task.

Often, trainers provide a shelf full of reference manuals. Obviously, this isn't much fun and not ideal for taking things in. Recent studies into the way we learn shows that memory is aided when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get practically involved in what we're studying.

Interactive full motion video featuring instructor demo's and practice lab's will forever turn you away from traditional book study. And they're far more fun. Always insist on a training material demonstration from the training company. You should ask for instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and virtual practice lab's for your new skills.

Often, companies will only use purely on-line training; while you can get away with this much of the time, consider how you'll deal with it if your access to the internet is broken or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. It's preferable to have DVD or CD discs that will not have these problems.

There are colossal changes coming via technology as we approach the second decade of the 21st century - and the industry becomes more ground-breaking every year. We are really only just beginning to get a handle on what this change will mean to us. How we interrelate with the rest of the world will be profoundly affected by technology and the internet.

If making decent money is high on your list of priorities, you'll welcome the news that the income on average for most men and women in IT is considerably greater than with most other jobs or industries. It's evident that we have a substantial nationwide demand for certified IT specialists. And with the constant growth in the marketplace, it appears there will be for quite some time to come.

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