The main factor to have in mind whenever you're contemplating any kind of computer training is what you wish to obtain from it. Do you just want improved home computer abilities, or have you been wanting to acquire a number of certifications to enhance your Curriculum Vitae? Possibly it's much more than that, and you're actually aiming to build a new career as an IT expert.

Where you wish to end up should be your first consideration. When you are sure about why you want to get trained, you will make an educated evaluation on which will be the best type for you. It will also keep you from making any errors by selecting an incorrect course.

Essentially, the starting place for an absolute novice, who just would like to obtain a basic idea of how to get the most from their computer, is the ECDL. The "ECDL" will teach you all the standard basic features connected with 'Microsoft Windows', - the actual operating system for the majority of PC's. You will discover the way to login to the internet, and how to access and find your way around web-sites and manage email. You will also learn the basic principles of word-processing plus a bit about what databases & spreadsheets are generally used for.

A further stage is to do some more formalised training to enhance your CV or get you prepared for extra roles at work. One of the most common of these is more advanced instruction in 'Microsoft Office'. Two industry accepted qualification courses are 'MOS' ('Microsoft Office Specialist') & 'MCAS' ('Microsoft Certification Application Specialist'). The 'MOS' is based around the Microsoft Office 2003 environment under Windows XP (still essentially the most commonly used in business), whereas the MCAS emphasises Windows Vista and Office 2007, and so might be better placed for the future. Each Microsoft 'Office' application is examined individually with each of the certifications, specifically - Excel for spreadsheets, 'Access' for 'databases', PowerPoint for presentations and Word for 'word processing'. The advantage of getting these qualifications is they show your in depth skill level for using these packages.

If you're looking at a change of career in to I.T., its probable that you'll want to start out somewhere around these programs, subject to your overall degree of IT literacy. Moving on from here usually requires a conversation with a specialist advisor. Indeed, if you're deciding upon a career move, it's best to have this discussion before you decide to attempt any accreditation - to make sure you're embarking on the right path from the outset. Individuals who do not organise where they are going from the outset can find themselves throwing away a lot of time & money - that might have been prevented with a simple 30 min discussion.

If Professional IT work is your end ambition, then you might start with instruction in IT support work. Frequently, if you're going to provide Software Support to others in the corporate environment, the MCDST ('Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician') may be appropriate. A course of this level normally takes around 100 hrs of learning time.

More advanced IT qualifications will lead you to the full professional level. A common starting point for hardware-support, networking and security jobs are the CompTIA A+ & 'Network+' accreditations. These will take care of the fundamentals of hardware & network installation, security, administration, trouble shooting and support. Study time is often generally approximately 200-250 hours to cover both, which is often realistically concluded in 6 months on a part time basis.