The Cisco training is designed for people who need to know all about network switches and routers. Routers connect networks of computers over the internet or lines dedicated for that purpose. It's likely that you should first attempt your CCNA. Avoid jumping straight into the CCNP for it's full of complexities - and you'll need the CCNA and experience first before you take this on.

To take this course, you should be clear on the operation and function of computer networks, because networks are linked to routers. Otherwise, you'll probably struggle. You might find a course teaching the basics (CompTIA Network+ as an example - maybe with the A+ as well) before getting going with CCNA. Some providers offer this as a career track.

If routers are a new thing for you, then working up to and including the CCNA is the right level to aim for - avoid being talked into doing a CCNP. With a few years experience behind you, you'll know if CCNP is something you want to do.

We're regularly asked to explain why academic qualifications are being overtaken by more commercial certificates? The IT sector is of the opinion that to cover the necessary commercial skill-sets, official accreditation from such organisations as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe often is more effective in the commercial field - for much less time and money. Higher education courses, for example, can often get caught up in too much background study - with a syllabus that's far too wide. This holds a student back from learning the core essentials in sufficient depth.

Just like the advert used to say: 'It does what it says on the label'. The company just needs to know what they need doing, and then match up the appropriate exam numbers as a requirement. That way they can be sure they're interviewing applicants who can do the job.

Can job security truly exist anymore? In the UK for instance, with industry changing its mind on a whim, it seems increasingly unlikely. In times of increasing skills shortages together with growing demand however, we always reveal a fresh type of security in the marketplace; driven by conditions of continuous growth, companies struggle to find the number of people required.

Looking at the computing sector, a recent e-Skills study brought to light a 26 percent deficit in trained staff. To put it another way, this shows that the UK is only able to source 3 certified professionals for each 4 job positions that are available now. Fully skilled and commercially grounded new employees are correspondingly at a total premium, and it seems it will continue to be so for many years longer. As the Information Technology market is growing at the speed it is, it's unlikely there's any better sector worth looking at for retraining.

It's so important to understand this key point: It's essential to obtain proper 24x7 round-the-clock instructor support. We can tell you that you'll strongly regret it if you don't. Email support is too slow, and phone support is usually just a call-centre that will just take down the issue and email it over to their technical team - who will attempt to call you within 24-48 hrs, when it's convenient to them. This is all next to useless if you're stuck and can't continue and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.

World-class organisations provide an internet-based 24 hours-a-day package involving many support centres from around the world. You will have an environment which accesses the most appropriate office any time of the day or night: Support available as-and-when you want it. Look for a training provider that is worth purchasing from. As only live 24x7 round-the-clock support gives you the confidence to make it.

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