In this day and age, industry could not function efficiently without the help of support workers solving problems with both computers and networks, while giving advice to users on a constant basis. Whilst we become massively more dependent on technology, we also emerge as more reliant on the technically knowledgeable IT professionals, who maintain those systems.

Student support is absolutely essential - ensure you track down something that provides 24x7 direct access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also put a damper on the speed you move through things. Don't buy study programmes that only provide support to trainees through a message system after office-staff have gone home. Training companies will defend this with all kinds of excuses. But, no matter how they put it - you want to be supported when you need the help - not when it suits them.

Be on the lookout for providers that incorporate three or four individual support centres active in different time-zones. All of them should be combined to enable simple one-stop access and also access round-the-clock, when it suits you, with no fuss. Always pick a training provider that gives this level of learning support. Only proper round-the-clock 24x7 support provides the necessary backup.

It's important to understand: a course itself or the accreditation isn't what this is about; the particular job that you want to end up in is. Many trainers unfortunately put too much weight in the course or the qualification. It's a sad testimony to the sales skills of many companies, but a great many students kick-off study that often sounds marvellous from the prospectus, but which delivers a career that doesn't fulfil at all. Just ask several college graduates and you'll see where we're coming from.

You must also consider what your attitude is towards career development, earning potential, and if you're ambitious or not. You should understand what (if any) sacrifices you'll need to make for a particular role, what particular accreditations are needed and where you'll pick-up experience from. We recommend that students always seek guidance and advice from a professional advisor before settling on some particular learning path, so there's little doubt that the content of a learning package provides the appropriate skill-set.

The way in which your courseware is broken down for you isn't always given the appropriate level of importance. How many parts is the training broken down into? What is the specific order and what control do you have at what pace it arrives? The majority of training companies will set up a program spread over 1-3 years, and deliver each piece one-by-one as you pass each exam. This sounds reasonable until you consider the following: What would their reaction be if you find it difficult to do everything at the proposed pace? Often the prescribed exam order won't be as easy as an alternative path could be.

For future safety and flexibility, it's not unusual for students to make sure that every element of their training is posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. It's then up to you how fast or slow and in what order you'd like to work.

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