IT Qualifications

humz

humz

humz

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16 Sep 2010
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Hey there guys i'm trying to get into IT but with no qualifications or experience i'm finding it a bit hard to even get an interview...

i've decided that i'm probably best going down the apprenticeship route however there are a few ending qualifications and I have no idea how they stack up against each other

i would very much appreciate your feedback on any of the following!

QCF Certificate in IT

Level 2 ITQ qualification and completing modules for ECDL

ICT Professional Apprenticeship to include NVQ

Apprenticeship at level 2 I.T.Users including I.T.Users Diploma Level 2 and also

Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number.

NVQ Level 2 - IT practitioner Technical Certificate - IT Practitioner Length of Apprenticeship

and then this one which to me looks the best but is fairly long and is away from home so would be expensive but I would be willing to do if its worth it

Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), CompTIA A+ & N+, City & Guild Diploma and Certificate, Business & IT Sales Certificate

at the end of it i'm hoping to go into a desktop support role

One last question...do you think it is more about the experience or the qualifications
 
With IT I have found the real qualifications come after the experience. For example, many of the MS qualifications strongly urge you to have had at least a year or two of experience in the technology you are wanting a qualification for.
 
I have none of the above and do 2nd line IT support specialising in server support.

Experience > bits of paper

You just need somebody to give you that first rung on the ladder and give you a chance. For that , your interview technique and personality is going to be the defining factor.
 
ok if thats the case i'm thinking of just doing the shortest apprenticeship i can find as i think thats the only way i'm going to get on the ladder.


Thanks for your help guys :)
 
some employers will insist on qualifications - like my local council for example

They had a 1st line support job going - for starting salary of 20K +

But they wanted 2 years experience and an MCSA

However most people with 2 years experience and an MCSA are going to find 1st line support calls asking them where their power switch is incredibly tedious.

Great if you like the money, not so great if you dont want to be bored all your life.

So although not having lots of qualifications will close some doors, it may only close doors you couldnt have got into anyway, or wanted for that matter.

I've now got 5 years experience in IT, and i couldnt stand going back to doing 1st line calling logging stuff.
 
Don't bother; get a some qualifications in something that pays better such as Engineering, Chemistry, or project planning / management... Unless of course you enjoy being poorly remunerated and treated like dirt by every level of the business you work for.
 
MrLOL said:
some employers will insist on qualifications - like my local council for example

They had a 1st line support job going - for starting salary of 20K +

But they wanted 2 years experience and an MCSA

However most people with 2 years experience and an MCSA are going to find 1st line support calls asking them where their power switch is incredibly tedious.

Great if you like the money, not so great if you dont want to be bored all your life.

So although not having lots of qualifications will close some doors, it may only close doors you couldnt have got into anyway, or wanted for that matter.

I've now got 5 years experience in IT, and i couldnt stand going back to doing 1st line calling logging stuff.
Click to expand...

I've noticed the same here
lots of council places want MCSA/E plus 2 years exp and for a lot less than 20k (think along the lines of 14-16k)
 
this was a while back. Considering the current public spending cuts i very doubt they are offering those salaries now.

The NHS is as bad. I cant wait for this new public health bill to go through and abolish all the PCTs, the wages some of them are on are extorionate, and to add insult to injury they are getting paid more than i am, for 1st line work, when they havent got a clue what they are on about.

Whats even worse, is that once one PCT puts its wages up by altering the job requirements such that the pay scale falls into a higher grade, the PCTs next door have to do it as well to be competitive.

Before you know it everybody in the NHS is earning 25k a year for logging 1st line support calls.
 
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