As there are a plethora of IT courses to choose from, it can be difficult to know what to look for. Choose one that corresponds with your abilities and personality, and that will be a useful asset in the workforce. Whether you're looking for Microsoft Office skills, or want to advance your career and attain professional qualifications in IT, there are plain-speaking courses and assistance to turn your goals into reality.

With such a range of competitively priced, simple to follow courses and support, you're sure to find something that should take you into industry.

Most commercial training providers will only offer support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; very few go late in the evening or at weekends. You'll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and phone support is often to a call-centre who will just take down the issue and email it over to their technical team - who will attempt to call you within 24-48 hrs, at a time suitable for them. This isn't a lot of good if you're stuck with a particular problem and have a one hour time-slot in which to study.

Top training providers opt for an internet-based round-the-clock package involving many support centres across the globe. You'll have an interface that seamlessly accesses whichever office is appropriate any time of the day or night: Support when you need it. You can't afford to accept a lower level of service. Support round-the-clock is really your only option when it comes to technical training. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; often though, we're out at work at the time when most support is available.

Trainees looking at this market are usually quite practically-minded, and don't really enjoy classrooms, and slogging through piles of books. If this could be you, opt for more involving, interactive learning materials, where you can learn everything on-screen. Studies have always confirmed that an 'involved' approach to study, where we utilise all our senses, is much more conducive to long-term memory.

The latest audio-visual interactive programs utilising video demo's and practice lab's beat books hands-down. And they're a lot more fun to do. Each company you're contemplating should willingly take you through a few samples of their courseware. You're looking for evidence of tutorial videos and demonstrations and interactive areas to practice in.

Go for CD or DVD ROM based materials where possible. You can then avoid all the difficulties of the variability of broadband quality and service.

A useful feature provided by many trainers is a Job Placement Assistance program. This is to steer you into your first IT role. With the growing demand for appropriately skilled people in Britain at the moment, there's no need to become overly impressed with this service however. It really won't be that difficult to get employment once you're trained and certified.

However, don't leave it until you have passed your final exams before updating your CV. As soon as you start studying, list what you're working on and get promoting! Getting your CV considered is better than being rejected. Many junior jobs are got by trainees who are still at an early stage in their studies. In many cases, a specialist locally based recruitment consultancy (who will get paid by the employer when they've placed you) should get better results than any sector of a centralised training facility. In addition, they will no doubt know local industry and the area better.

Many students, it would appear, invest a great deal of time on their training course (for years sometimes), and just give up when it comes to trying to get a job. Sell yourself... Make an effort to get yourself known. Good jobs don't just knock on your door.

Be alert that all certifications you're studying for are commercially relevant and are bang up to date. The 'in-house' certifications provided by many companies are generally useless. If your certification doesn't come from a major player like Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA, then chances are it will have been a waste of time - because no-one will recognise it.

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