Usually, trainers will provide a bunch of books and manuals. This isn't very interesting and not really conducive to achieving retention. Memory is vastly improved with an involvement of all our senses - educational experts have expounded on this for decades now.

Top of the range study programs now offer interactive discs. By watching and listening to instructors on video tutorials you'll absorb the modules, one by one, through the expert demonstrations. Then it's time to test your knowledge by using practice-lab's. It's wise to view some of the typical study materials provided before you sign the purchase order. You should expect instructor-led video demonstrations and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections.

Select physical media such as CD or DVD ROM's in all circumstances. You can then avoid all the difficulties of broadband outages, failure and signal quality issues etc.

'In-Centre' days are often touted as a great facet by some training companies. If you talk to most IT hopefuls that have tried them out, you'll find they generally end up being seen as a difficulty to be 'got round' because of many things:

- The amount of travel required - frequent trips and often 100's of miles each time.

- Access to classes; often Mon-Fri and two or three days in a row. This can be difficult to get the work-leave.

- Usually, we discover 4 weeks annual leave is barely enough. Sacrifice a good 50 percent of that for study events and see your problems doubled.

- 'In-Centre' days fill up quickly and can be very crammed in.

- Maybe you like to work at a slower or quicker pace than the rest of the class. This can create tension in the class.

- You can't overlook the extra cost of travelling or over-night accommodation either. Often, this will cost 00's or even 000's extra. Take some time to add it all up - it'll shock and surprise you.

- Do you want to risk the possibility of letting yourself be passed-over for a lift up the ladder or pay-rises because you're getting trained in a different area.

- How many of us have avoided posing that question we were dying to ask, just because we wanted to look smarter?

- Don't forget, events frequently become simply unreachable, where you work away for some part of the year.

Why not just watch and gain knowledge from instructors one-on-one via ready-made modules, studying them at a time that's convenient for you and you alone. Study can happen anywhere that suits. If you own a laptop, you could catch a bit of sun in your garden as you learn. Any difficulties and make use of the 24x7 support. It really doesn't matter how frequently you need to repeat a module, video-based tutors aren't ever likely to rush you! Also, in this situation, note-taking is a thing of the past. It's all there for quick access. Could it be more straightforward: No travelling, wasted time or money; and of course you've got a much more stress-free learning setting.

Including examinations as an inclusive element of the package price and presenting it as a guarantee for your exams is a popular marketing tool with a good many training companies. Consider the facts:

We all know that we're still paying for it - it's obviously already been included in the gross price invoiced by the training company. Certainly, it's not a freebie (although some people will believe anything the marketing companies think up these days!) Those who go in for their examinations when it's appropriate, paying as they go are in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt. They're aware of what they've paid and so are more inclined to be ready for the task.

Why pay your training company up-front for exams? Hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you're ready, don't pay mark-ups - and take it closer to home - rather than possibly hours away from your area. Buying a course that includes payments for exam fees (which also includes interest if you've taken out a loan) is a false economy. Why fill a company's coffers with your hard-earned cash just to give them more interest! Many will hope you won't get round to taking them - but they won't refund the cash. Remember, with most 'Exam Guarantees' - you are not in control of when you can re-take the exam. You will have to demonstrate an excellent pass-rate before they'll approve a re-take.

Exam fees averaged 112 pounds or thereabouts last year through VUE or Pro-metric centres in the UK. So what's the point of paying maybe a thousand pounds extra to get 'Exam Guarantees', when it's no secret that the best guarantee is consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software.

Potential trainees looking to start a career in IT often don't know what route they should take, let alone what area to build their qualifications around. Because in the absence of any commercial skills in Information Technology, how could any of us be expected to understand what someone in a particular job does? To attack this, there should be a discussion of many definitive areas:

- Your hobbies and interests - as they can reveal the possibilities will satisfy you.

- Is it your desire to realise an important goal - for example, being your own boss someday?

- Where is the salary on a scale of importance - is it of prime importance, or is job satisfaction higher up on your list of priorities?

- Many students don't properly consider the amount of work needed to achieve their goals.

- It makes sense to understand the differences across each area of training.

The bottom line is, your only chance of investigating all this is through a good talk with someone that through years of experience will provide solid advice.

In essence, the kick off point for a complete novice, who just wants to get a simple idea of how to get the most out of their laptop or computer, is the ECDL. It will deal with how to run the basic components of 'Windows' (the system that 'runs' nearly all personal computers.) You'll also cover web browsers (so you're able to browse the web,) plus email software (to help you to keep in contact with colleagues and friends.) A small amount is additionally taught about how to make use of spreadsheets and carry out some word processing.

A further stage is to gain a bit more formalised training to improve your CV or equip you for extra functions in the office. A professional working knowledge of Microsoft Office would be your next logical step. By far the most valuable commercial qualifications teaching 'Office' are Microsoft Office Specialist & Microsoft 'Certified Application Specialist' (identified respectively as MOS and 'MCAS'). 'MOS' has been around for longer and works with 'Office' 2003 & 'XP', which continues to be very well used commercially. 'MCAS' is based around Office 2007 and 'Vista', so undoubtedly offers increased life expectancy. Each Ms 'Office' application is examined with both certifications, that is - "Word", Excel, 'Powerpoint' & Access - for word-processing, spread-sheets, presentations and 'databases'. Each of them are well respected examinations & help make it effortless for companies to recognise your advanced proficiency with the applications.

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