With hundreds of computer study programs on the market today, it's not always easy to find the right one. Choose one that's in line with your abilities and personality, and that will be a useful asset in the working environment. Training ranges from Microsoft User Skills to career courses in Networking, Programming, Databases and Web Design. There's a lot to choose from and so you'll probably need to have a conversation with an industry expert before you make your final decision: the last thing you want to do is learn about a subject for an area that you don't enjoy!

With such a range of sensibly priced, user-friendly courses and support, we're confident you'll find something that should get you to your destination.

Many training providers will only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later; most won't answer after 8-9pm at the latest and frequently never at the weekends. Locate training schools with help available at any time of the day or night (irrespective of whether it's the wee hours on Sunday morning!) You want direct access to tutors, and not a call-centre that will take messages so you're constantly waiting for a call-back - probably during office hours.

Top training providers utilise an online access 24 hours-a-day package pulling in several support offices across the globe. You're offered an environment that switches seamlessly to the best choice of centres at any time of day or night: Support when you need it. Never compromise when it comes to your support. Many IT hopefuls who drop-out or fail, would have had a different experience if they'd got the right support package in the first place.

It can be a nerve-racking task, but landing your first role in IT can be eased because some trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance programme. At the end of the day it isn't so complicated as you might think to land a job - assuming you're well trained and qualified; employers in this country need your skills.

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 for when you're ready to start work. Quite often, you will get your first position whilst you're still studying (sometimes when you've only just got going). If your CV doesn't say what you're learning (and it isn't in the hands of someone with jobs to offer) then you won't even be considered! You can usually expect better performance from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than you'll get from a training provider's employment division, because they will understand the local industry and employment needs.

Please make sure you don't spend hundreds of hours on your training and studies, and then do nothing more and leave it in the hands of the gods to land you a job. Stop procrastinating and get out there. Channel the same resource into getting your first job as it took to get qualified.

Including examinations with the course fee then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status is a popular marketing tool with a good many training companies. However, let's consider what's really going on:

Obviously it isn't free - you're still paying for it - it's just been included in your package price. Qualifying on the first 'go' is what everyone wants to do. Going for exams one at a time and paying for them just before taking them sees you much better placed to get through first time - you prepare appropriately and think carefully about the costs.

Hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take the exam, and keep hold of your own money. You'll then be able to select where you sit the exam - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. Why tie up your cash (or borrow more than you need) for examination fees when there was no need to? A lot of profit is netted by organisations getting paid upfront for exams - and banking on the fact that many won't be taken. Most companies will require you to sit pre-tests and hold you back from re-takes until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - making an 'exam guarantee' just about worthless.

With average prices for VUE and Pro-metric examinations coming in at approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain, by far the best option is to pay for them as you take them. Not to fork out thousands extra in up-front costs. Consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.

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