ICT Qualifications

[marsdenprimary]

I wasn't sure where to post this but I've been an ICT technician in Primary school's (two of) for about 10 years now and have no professional ICT qualifications...

 

What would you recommend I do to gain a respectable qualification?

 

My experience so far in the time I have been doing is is Web design, hardware support, network management and software. I also have experience in using Windows server 2003 with Active Directory.

 

Hope you can help so I can persuade school to let me do some studying

 

J

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[featured_spectre]

In your position I would go for MSITP/MCSA/MCSE to start with, then branch off and do Cisco CCNA (either essentials or explorer)

[marsdenprimary]

In your position I would go for MSITP/MCSA/MCSE to start with, then branch off and do Cisco CCNA (either essentials or explorer)

Thank you. Do you know where the best place would be to find these? Are they online??

 

J

[stevenlong1985]

Microsoft Certifications | Prometric Prometric is the Examiner and they held exams at their places dotted around the world, I think as well prometric is the only test center to do any microsoft exams now.

[gl3nnym]

I agree you should go for the MCITP. I am studying that at the moment and is the newer version of MCSE/MCSA.

[marsdenprimary]

I agree you should go for the MCITP. I am studying that at the moment and is the newer version of MCSE/MCSA.

 

That's great. Do you know where I can find some good study materials? And what does MCITP stand for?

[gl3nnym]

Here is the Microsoft page for the MCITP: MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) | Training Courses for IT Professionals

 

It stands for Microsoft Certified IT Professional and shows the exams/studying needed to gain the qualification.

Many people use companies like TrainSignal, CBT Nuggets and the Microsoft Press Books (available from Amazon) to study for the exams. Personally I have just used the Press Books so far but will need video training soon. Microsoft also have plenty of free Webinars and Virtual Labs on their Learning site available to download.

 

EDIT: You can also try these sites for help and information; techexams.net , certforums.co.uk , mcmcse.com , proprofs.com . I have used these to get advice from other people taking the exams (Passed my first ever exam a few weeks ago and other peoples experiences really help). Just a note, brain dumps are bad. Steer clear of them!

Edited November 17, 2010 by gl3nnym

[fedora_explorer]

I've been working in Primary schools for about 18 months now. I have 6 of them. I was previously a technician in a couple of secondaries. I'm in the same boat, I have no ICT qualifications but am wanting to get them so I can move on. MCITP does sound like the best bet from what you've said and the information I've found on the net.

[stevenlong1985]

BTW your school should pay for them, as a part of your professional development my school paid for my Exams

[gl3nnym]

BTW your school should pay for them, as a part of your professional development my school paid for my Exams

 

If you can get it, it's good! My company have so far paid for two courses and 1 exam. They said they will pay for my next exam too. How nice of them!

[featured_spectre]

If you have a local college near by, enter into an agreement where you can offer to give some students work experience in ICT industry for a term, and in return you get free training by the college (if they offer CCNA, MCSE etc). I did and its working well for myself and its how I got Ashman91 to join me, as he was one of those students, and he stood out above the others.

[irsprint84]

I know slightly away but I would suggest a Price2 project management qualification, it will take you far

[dwhyte85]

BTW your school should pay for them, as a part of your professional development my school paid for my Exams

 

You're lucky then! Prince2 will take you far if you have the project management experience with it. Aim in-line with what you do, MCDST and MCSA is a good start point or maybe A+ if you're doing alot of break/fix hardware bits. ITIL is good to have if you plan to leave schools, FITS is good for schools but some industry employers now recognise FITS where ITIL isn't on a CV - but they're not hands on quals, they're more... following a framework.

Edited November 17, 2010 by dwhyte85

[marsdenprimary]

BTW your school should pay for them, as a part of your professional development my school paid for my Exams

 

It looks like they're prepared to do that as I've no professional development so far. Hooking up with our local college also sounds like a good idea to exchange student services for training...I like that!

[fedora_explorer]

If you can get it, it's good! My company have so far paid for two courses and 1 exam. They said they will pay for my next exam too. How nice of them!

 

I can only wish for that. My boss has already told me there isn't enough money in the budget for training. We're skint

[gl3nnym]

The MS Press books can be picked up from Amazon for pretty cheap. It's only when you want better quality training that the price starts getting out of hand.

[rad]

I tried an MCP about 8 years ago in XP, I found it really hard to concentrate reading a book the size of the yellow pages and trying to remember it. Did the exam twice I think and didnt get anywhere, not easy at the time but I might understand it more now.

[dwhyte85]

I tried an MCP about 8 years ago in XP, I found it really hard to concentrate reading a book the size of the yellow pages and trying to remember it. Did the exam twice I think and didnt get anywhere, not easy at the time but I might understand it more now.

 

I found it easier playing on a computer at the same time, or having one close by to put what's said into actions.

[gl3nnym]

I also have trouble reading the books but the hands on experience definitely helps.

[mthomas08]

I am currently doing this Welcome to OpenITtraining.com u am doing a MCSE/MCITP

 

Also MCDST, MCSA, MCSE certificates.

 

It isnt perfect but has provided me access to other courses materials which I have gone through and had a good look at to "Know" it. Price wasnt bad either, although I will add i did find one mistake in a question/answer/course materials.

[ricki]

Hi

 

Blackburn College used to do Microsoft courses.

 

richard

[jcollings]

Well worth contacting Lancaster University too. InfoLab21 - ICT Focus - Microsoft Training

 

They do some excellent courses and have some very experienced trainers.

[Jamesdavid3]

You dont really need any qualifications with in ICT if you have worked in it for 10 years, you have that 10 years experience which is way more than that Qualification/degree.

 

Any company taking people on IT wise they will always go for experience rather than qualifications

[kaphc]

It's worth looking at what the Open University offer - I am currently studying TM128 which doesn't include the Microsoft MCSP exam but does prepare you for it and gives the option to take the exam at a discounted rate. They also do a course relating to the Cisco CCNA qualification.

[mthomas08]

Totally agree with that, especially if you deal with staff/students/all ages. If your IT system evolves often then you for sure got an advantage over some one who has a certificate.

 

As a bonus though, I am currently doing a MCITP and I am learning things I never knew, redoing things I already knew and have already found a few mistakes! To me Experience is best but qualification and experience is top notch. I will soon be reaching the 10 Yrs of working in IT. And by then I would of completed my MCITP I hope!