PC and network support workers are ever more sought after in this country, as businesses are becoming more reliant upon their knowledge and capacity to solve problems. The need for such skilled and qualified individuals is ever increasing, as everything becomes significantly more computer dependent.

We'd all like to believe that our jobs are safe and our work futures are protected, but the likely scenario for the majority of jobs in Great Britain currently seems to be that the marketplace is far from secure. When we come across growing skills deficits and rising demand of course, we almost always find a fresh type of market-security; driven forward by the constant growth conditions, companies find it hard to locate the influx of staff needed.

Offering the computer industry for example, a recent e-Skills survey brought to light a skills deficit across the United Kingdom of over 26 percent. That means for each four job positions existing around the computer industry, there are barely three qualified workers to fill that need. This basic idea clearly demonstrates an urgent requirement for more technically accredited computing professionals in the UK. Quite simply, gaining new qualifications in IT as you progress through the next year or two is very likely the safest career direction you could choose.

We're regularly asked to explain why traditional degrees are less in demand than the more qualifications from the commercial sector? As we require increasingly more effective technological know-how, industry has moved to specific, honed-in training that the vendors themselves supply - in other words companies like CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA. Frequently this is at a far reduced cost both money and time wise. Obviously, a certain portion of closely linked information must be taught, but core specialised knowledge in the required areas gives a vendor trained person a massive advantage.

When it comes down to the nitty-gritty: Recognised IT certifications tell an employer precisely what skills you have - the title is a complete giveaway: i.e. I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network'. Consequently companies can identify just what their needs are and what certifications are required to perform the job.

Talk to any specialised consultant and you'll be surprised by their many worrying experiences of salespeople ripping-off unsuspecting students. Make sure you deal with a professional advisor that quizzes you to discover the most appropriate thing for you - not for their pay-packet! Dig until you find the very best place to start for you. If you have a strong background, or even a touch of commercial experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it could be that the level you'll need to start at will be very different from someone with no background whatsoever. If you're a student starting IT studies and exams as a new venture, it can be helpful to ease in gradually, by working on some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. This can easily be incorporated into most types of training.

Validated exam simulation and preparation packages are vital - and absolutely ought to be offered by your training provider. Make sure that the practice exams haven't just got questions in the right areas, but are also posing them in the way that the actual final exam will ask them. It really messes up people if they're met with completely different formats and phraseologies. Be sure to request some practice exams in order to verify your comprehension at any point. Practice or 'mock' exams add to your knowledge bank - so you won't be quite so nervous at the actual exam.

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