The Cisco training is intended for individuals who need to know all about routers. Routers hook up networks of computers via the internet or dedicated lines. We'd recommend that initially you should go for CCNA. Steer clear of going immediately onto the CCNP as it is very advanced - and you'll need the CCNA and experience first to take on this level.

Routers are linked to networks, therefore it's important to know how networks function, or you will have difficulties with the qualification and be unable to understand the work. Find training that includes basic networking skills (such as CompTIA) before you start the CCNA.

Achieving CCNA is the right level in this instance - don't be cajoled into attempting your CCNP yet. Get a couple of years experience behind you first, then you will know if you need to train up to this level. Should that be the case, you'll have a much better chance of succeeding - as your working knowledge will put everything into perspective.

Have a conversation with almost any specialised advisor and they'll entertain you with many terrible tales of students who've been conned by dodgy salespeople. Make sure you deal with a professional advisor who asks lots of questions to discover the most appropriate thing for you - not for their pay-packet! Dig until you find the right starting point of study for you. Where you have a strong background, or even a touch of real-world experience (some industry qualifications maybe?) then it's more than likely the point from which you begin your studies will be different from a trainee who has no experience. Commencing with a foundation course first is often the best way to commence your IT programme, depending on your skill level at the moment.

Without a doubt: There's no such thing as individual job security anymore; there's only market or sector security - any company is likely to let anyone go when it suits the business' commercial requirements. Security can now only exist through a quickly rising marketplace, driven by a shortage of trained workers. This shortage creates the right conditions for a higher level of market-security - a far better situation.

The IT skills shortage across the UK is standing at approx 26 percent, as noted by the 2006 e-Skills study. Basically, we're only able to fill 3 out of 4 positions in the computing industry. Achieving the appropriate commercial computing exams is thus a quick route to a continuing and rewarding occupation. It's unlikely if a better time or market circumstances could exist for obtaining certification in this rapidly growing and developing market.

All programs you're considering must provide a nationally accepted certification at the finale - definitely not some 'in-house' printed certificate to hang in your hallway. The top IT companies like Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA all have globally recognised proficiency courses. These heavyweights will make your CV stand-out.

We can't make a big enough deal out of this point: Always get full 24x7 professional support from mentors and instructors. We can tell you that you'll strongly regret it if you let this one slide. Find a good quality service where you can receive help at any time of day or night (irrespective of whether it's the wee hours on Sunday morning!) You'll need access directly to professional tutors, and not a call-centre that will take messages so you're constantly waiting for a call-back at a convenient time for them.

We recommend looking for providers that utilise many support facilities active in different time-zones. Each one should be integrated to give a single entry point as well as access round-the-clock, when you want it, with no fuss. Never make do with anything less. Online 24x7 support is the only kind to make the grade when it comes to computer-based learning. Maybe late-evening study is not your thing; but for the majority of us however, we're at work while the support is live.

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