Well done! Finding this article indicates you're probably wondering about where you're going, and if it's new career training you're deliberating over that means you've taken it further than most others. Are you aware that surprisingly few of us are fulfilled and satisfied with our jobs - yet the vast majority of us will just put up with it. Why don't you stand out from the crowd and make a start - you have the rest of your life to enjoy it.

We suggest that you discuss your ideas first - talk to a knowledgeable person; someone who'll give you career advice based on what works best for you, and analyse the training programs that will suit you:

* Do you like to be around others at work? Is it meeting new people or being part of a team? Or you may prefer task-orientated work that only you know how to deal with?

* The banks and building sector are facing difficulties right now, so think carefully about the sector that would suit you best?

* Once your training has been completed, are you hoping your new skills will give you the ability to serve you till you retire?

* Are you worried about your chances of getting new work, and keeping a job right up to retirement?

The largest sector in Great Britain that can satisfy a trainee's demands is the computer industry, particularly IT. There is a requirement for greater numbers of skilled staff in this market, simply have a look at a local jobsite and you'll see for yourself. Don't let people tell you it's all techie people sitting in front ofscreens all day - there's a lot more to it than that. Large numbers of employees in the industry are people of average intelligence, but they enjoy their work and get well paid.

It can be a nerve-racking task, but landing your first role in IT is often relieved by some companies, via a Job Placement Assistance service. With the great need for more IT skills in the UK today, it's not necessary to get too caught up in this feature though. It isn't such a complex operation to find the right work once you're well trained and qualified.

Advice and support about getting interviews and your CV may be available (if not, see one of our sites for help). It's essential that you polish up your CV right away - don't leave it till you pass the exams! It's not unusual to find that you will get your initial job whilst you're still studying (occasionally right at the beginning). If your CV doesn't show your latest training profile - or it's not getting in front of interviewers, then you aren't even in the running! Normally you'll get better performance from a specialised and independent local recruitment service than you'll get from a training provider's national service, because they'll know the local area and commercial needs better.

A big aggravation of many course providers is how hard people are prepared to work to pass exams, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the role they've studied for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.

One interesting way that colleges make more money is by charging for exams up-front then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status. This looks like a great idea for the student, till you look at the facts:

Everybody's aware that they're still paying for it - it's quite obvious to see that it's already been included in the gross price invoiced by the college. It's definitely not free (although some people will believe anything the marketing companies think up these days!) Evidence shows that if a student pays for their relevant examinations, when they're ready to take them and not before, there's a much better chance they'll get through on the first attempt - since they'll be conscious of their investment in themselves and will therefore apply themselves appropriately.

Don't pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you when you take the exam, and avoid college mark-up fees. You also get more choice of where you sit the exam - so you can choose somewhere closer to home. A lot of extra profit is secured by some training companies who get money for exam fees in advance. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don't get to do their exams and so they pocket the rest. Amazingly, there are training companies who depend on students not taking their exams - as that's where a lot of their profit comes from. Most companies will insist on pre-tests and hold you back from re-takes until you've demonstrated an excellent ability to pass - which makes an 'Exam Guarantee' frankly useless.

Prometric and VUE exams are currently clocking in at an average of 112 pounds in Britain at the time of writing. What's the point of paying huge charges for 'Exam Guarantees' (often hidden in the cost) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.

Considering how a program is 'delivered' to you is often missed by many students. How many parts is the training broken down into? What is the specific order and do you have a say in when you'll get each part? You may think that it makes sense (with training often lasting 2 or 3 years to pass all the required exams,) for your typical trainer to courier the courseware in stages, as you achieve each exam pass. But: Many students find that the company's 'standard' path of training isn't the easiest way for them. They might find a different order of study is more expedient. And what if you don't get to the end within their exact timetable?

Truth be told, the very best answer is to get an idea of what they recommend as an ideal study order, but get all the study materials at the start. You then have everything if you don't manage to finish quite as quick as they'd want.

Beginning with the understanding that it's necessary to choose the market that sounds most inviting first and foremost, before we're able to contemplate which educational program ticks the right boxes, how do we know the way that suits us? Scanning lists of IT career possibilities is a complete waste of time. The vast majority of us have no concept what the neighbours do for a living - so we're in the dark as to the complexities of a specific IT job. Often, the key to unlocking this predicament appropriately flows from a thorough chat, covering a variety of topics:

* Your individual personality plus what interests you - what work-centred jobs you enjoy or dislike.

* Is your focus to obtain training because of a precise raison d'etre - e.g. is it your goal to work from home (self-employment possibly?)?

* Is the money you make further up on your priority-scale than other requirements.

* Understanding what the normal IT areas and sectors are - and what makes them different.

* The time and energy you will commit your training.

To completely side-step all the jargon and confusion, and reveal the most viable option for your success, have an in-depth discussion with an industry-experienced advisor; someone that appreciates and can explain the commercial realities whilst covering each certification.

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