Recognized IT course worth doing

MrYoungg

I'm looking for WORTHY IT course that I can do using 24+ government loan. I found Level 3 in Networking City & Guilds. But don't know if this is something that would be recognized by an employer. I've don basic IT at college and looking for a next step.Thanks for any insights.

NewShadow

Okay... so what would you actually like to do?

I mean, are you wanting to be 'in IT', or are you applying for any old job and want something on your CV that proves you're proficient with the MS Office suite?

For the former, if you can get someone to pay for certifications, being a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) will help you get into IT - everyone's concerned with lifecycle management with the trend moving to cloud based enterprise solutions. It's not cheap, and you'll need to study. Alternatives include such cirts as MCSE, MCSA, MOS, SQL...

If it's just a CV padder - Truthfully, your college qualification - (assuming it's a GCSE/A-level equiv) should be fine.

If you're focused on getting a piece of paper, getting an European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) (if you can still find it - was everywhere a few years back) should work - most employers would recognise it as basic proficiency. I think I recall it was replaced by CLAIT... and then I think CLAIT 2. All the same basic courses.

Or, as you say, everyone knows what an NVQ is. Even if the levels and equivs can be a little confusing

AndyBSG

As NewShadow says, the Microsoft MCSD, MCSE and MCSA qualifications are very widely recognised as is the ECDL.

CompTIA A+ and N+ are also fairly sought after.

However, even with those they really are only bits of paper that will only get you a basic entry level job.

When i'm interviewing for entry level IT staff i'd attach a lot more weight to any aptitude scoring we did for the role and how well they interviewed than I would the presence of one of those qualifications TBH and would only factor those in if I had two candidates I couldn't choose between as a sort of tie breaker.

Main reason being anyone with no experience would still need the same training regardless of if they had one of those qualifications, only difference really being someone with a qualification may save a day or two on the real basics.

Main question would be if you have done basic IT then where do you hope to end up? Another basic IT qualification wouldn't be as useful for example as a more specialised one.

Are you interested in the networking or desktop support side? would you like to work as a DBA? Or are you looking to get more into the coding/software development side?

If you can choose something like that a more specific course may give you more of an edge than a general IT one.