Online IT Training courses

d4vy

Hi all,
Im looking for advice. I have a real interest it IT and networks. Im not saying I know loads about the inner workings of either but i have a keen interest in both. At my age (38) I'm not looking to go back to uni or anything. I work full time and was looking at courses that i can complete online that may give me a better understanding and improve my chances of getting a job within the industry. I've saw such courses offered through various outlets including I.T Career Switch, Udemy, Learing People etc. I.T career switch even guarantees a job after successful completion or your money back. I am willing to pay but i dont want to be ripped off. They claim their exams are certified by the likes of industry leaders such as  Cisco and Comptia A+. Does anyone have any experience of using any of these compnies to gain industry recognised qualifications?
Thanks

Johnmcl7

I recently passed my CCNA (the old one that finished in February) and would recommend Neil Anderson on Udemy, I think this is the course for the new CCNA:
https://www.udemy.com/course/ccna-complete/

I don't know what the changes are to the new course but the previous one while Cisco focused on the devices was a fairly general overview of the main networking technologies.  I thought the instructors explains some of the tricky sections well especially subnetting which can be hard to get your head around initially and I found the online video system worked well since I could easily go back if I hadn't understood anything and watch the videos at my pace.  I'd originally been on an instructor led course but preferred the Udemy course because you can pace it as you want whereas on a course if you're not in the mood for it or needing a break you end up not picking anything up.

It was two exams for the CCNA at £150 each which were tougher than I expected as I feel they test your factual knowledge too much rather than practical networking skills.

Littlemidi

You are right to abide by your instincts. Online IT adverts are a moneymaker to "trainers" and the advertised courses do not in any way prepare you for employment. There are people with degrees which cannot get into work in their own field.
The standard qualification for IT tech support is COMPTIA A+ and Network A+. You will be starting at the absolute bottom against a million competitors, so you are staying there. To survive you'll need intermediate concepts of computer science and cybersecurity; preferably a masters degree. You are going to be studying (and spending) for a very, very long time and there's no guarantee of success.
If your straight question is are you going to be ripped off if you just do the courses and expect a job? Yes, you are definitely going to be ripped off. Computer networking and repair is a blooming business but you absolutely need, NEED the connections. There are lifelong experts out there looking for work and they can't land it. It would be nice if we had straightforward and honest answers to work again, but this is not the place.