How New Skills Can Shine A Light During Lockdown

For many of us in self-isolation, it can feel like the coronavirus has put the world on hold while we wait for the lockdown to be lifted. But there is a silver lining in this strange situation we are all finding ourselves in, we have time. Time to devote to our loved ones, to reconnect, to learn and to focus on ourselves.

What do the courses involve?

While the specifics vary between courses, one thing that remains is that they are flexible. You will always have a year to access the course materials from the day you officially sign up, which means you can study when it suits you.

The courses vary in lengths, many have a study time of 50 hours while others may only be 15 hours. With such a manageable study time, you can break it down into bitesize chunks of study time. The course materials typically involve video lectures, reading, Live Labs and regular quizzes to check your memory and understanding of the course.

To gain your official qualification you would need to undertake an exam, most of which are multiple choice. There are some exams which require a practical and others which need you to visit an official examination centre.

How do I choose a training provider when there are so many?

You might be tempted to sign up to the courses that are unbelievably cheap, but that’s exactly what they are – unbelievable. Checking a training provider’s reputation is vital when it comes to investing your time in online learning. You want to make sure that the course materials are up to date and carry a certification that is needed for your desired career. Gaining an official accredited qualification from a trusted training provider is what you need to be looking for. For example, ITonlinelearning are an Authorised Partner of CompTIA. They also offer accredited courses in PRINCE2, EC-Council Cyber Security and many more.

If you are unsure about a training provider, we strongly recommend you check their reviews. TrustPilot is one of the most popular review sites and many are verified orders to help put your mind at ease.

Look for the added value that training providers offer too. Make sure you can get the support you need to succeed and from the right people. Check that the tutors are qualified and find out what added extras they offer; some have recruitment teams that will help you land your first job in your chosen field!

So, when you are ready to sign up to a course, ask a prospective training provider the following questions:

How will you support me during the course?
Are the support staff qualified to help me with my course work?
Will you help keep me motivated and if so, how?
What else is included in the price?

If their answers exceed your expectations and you have checked they are reputable then go for it!