Many people question why traditional degrees are being overtaken by more commercially accredited qualifications? With fees and living expenses for university students increasing year on year, and the industry's growing opinion that vendor-based training often has more relevance in the commercial field, we have seen a big surge in Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe accredited training paths that create knowledgeable employees for much less time and money. Vendor training works through concentrating on the skill-sets required (together with a proportionate degree of background knowledge,) as opposed to trawling through all the background 'padding' that computer Science Degrees often do (to fill up a syllabus or course).

Imagine if you were an employer - and your company needed a person with some very particular skills. What is easier: Pore through loads of academic qualifications from several applicants, having to ask what each has covered and which workplace skills they have, or pick out specific commercial accreditations that specifically match what you're looking for, and then select who you want to interview from that. You'll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - instead of having to work out if they can do the job.

Any program that you're going to undertake really needs to work up to a properly recognised accreditation at the finale - not a useless 'in-house' printed certificate to hang in your hallway. From a commercial standpoint, only the major heavyweights such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA (for instance) will get you into the interview seat. Anything less won't make the grade.

If an advisor doesn't ask many questions - it's likely they're really a salesperson. If they're pushing towards a particular product before understanding your background and whether you have any commercial experience, then you know you're being sold to. Occasionally, the training inception point for someone with experience will be substantially different to someone just starting out. If this is going to be your opening crack at an IT exam then it may be wise to practice with some basic user skills first.

The two exams have quite recently been subject to a 2009 'facelift' in line with CompTIA's efforts towards ISO standardisation. Internationally the 2006-2007 editions of 'A+' (those with examination pre-fix 600) will be phased out over the coming 12 months. In Britain, they cease being offered on August 31st 2010. As 2009 examinations ('700') are already available at test-centres around the country, these newer learning programs would be a more sensible solution for someone just getting started. 'A+' '09 is currently offered as '220-701' 'CompTIA' A+ Essentials and 220-702 CompTIA A+ Practical Application. The four earlier exams have been re-structured in to two new examinations, and some more up-dated material has been added. The old format was one compulsory Essentials examination and 3 electives, of which just one needed to be sat. Over the last 4 years, the marketplace has evolved to the point where all 4 exams are actually regarded as essential - hence the reformatting in to 2 essential exams. An upgrade exam has been produced by CompTIA for any person who have the older qualification. 'BR-003' is the exam number. Extra training will undoubtedly end up being necessary, particularly for those who only initially worked on 2 of the 4 electives. Plainly however the new technology content must be studied.

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