Should you be considering getting into a web design team, Adobe Dreamweaver is an absolute must to achieve professional qualifications that are globally recognised. It's also recommended that students get an in-depth understanding of the full Adobe Web Creative Suite, which includes Flash and Action Script, in order to take advantage of Dreamweaver as a commercial web-designer. These skills can lead to becoming an ACP (Adobe Certified Professional) or an ACE (Adobe Certified Expert).
To develop into a professional web-designer however, there is much more to consider. You'll need to study various programming essentials like PHP, HTML, and MySQL. A working knowledge of E-Commerce and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) will give your CV some extra credibility and make you more employable.
Locating job security nowadays is problematic. Companies will drop us out of the workforce at a moment's notice - whenever it suits. Now, we only experience security in a rapidly rising marketplace, fuelled by a shortfall of trained staff. These circumstances create just the right background for a higher level of market-security - definitely a more pleasing situation.
Using the IT industry for example, the 2006 e-Skills analysis brought to light major skills shortages around the country of around 26 percent. To explain it in a different way, this clearly demonstrates that the country only has 3 certified professionals for each 4 positions that are available now. Fully taught and commercially certified new staff are thus at a resounding premium, and it seems it will continue to be so for a long time. Surely, this really is such a perfect time to train for the computer industry.
The area most overlooked by people mulling over a new direction is 'training segmentation'. This basically means the method used to break up the program for timed release to you, which completely controls how you end up. Trainees may consider it sensible (with training often lasting 2 or 3 years for a full commercial certification,) for many training providers to send out one section at a time, until you've passed all the exams. Although: Maybe the order of study insisted on by the company won't suit you. And what if you don't finish all the modules inside of their particular timetable?
Put simply, the best option is to have their ideal 'order' of training laid out, but make sure you have all of your learning modules right from the beginning. You then have everything in the event you don't complete everything within their ideal time-table.
A subtle way that training providers make more money is by adding exam fees upfront to the cost of a course then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status. This looks like a great idea for the student, but is it really:
You'll pay for it by some means. It's definitely not free - they've just worked it into the package price. We all want to pass first time. Going for exams one by one and funding them one at a time sees you much better placed to get through first time - you take it seriously and think carefully about the costs.
Isn't it in your interests to hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the time, instead of paying a premium to a training college, and to do it in a local testing office - instead of miles away at the college's beck and call? A great deal of money is netted by a number of companies that take the exam money up-front. For various reasons, many students don't take their exams and so the company is quids-in. Amazingly, there are providers that actually bank on it - as that's very profitable for them. It's also worth noting that you should consider what an 'exam guarantee' really means. Many training companies won't pay for you to re-take until you're able to demonstrate an excellent mock pass rate.
With average Prometric and VUE exams coming in at around 112 pounds in the UK, the most cost-effective way to cover the cost is by paying when you need them. There's no sense in throwing away maybe a thousand pounds extra at the start of your studies. Study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.
Finding your first job in the industry is often made easier if you're offered a Job Placement Assistance facility. It can happen though that there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, for it's relatively easy for well qualified and focused men and women to get a job in IT - because companies everywhere are seeking trained staff.
Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't wait until you've qualified. Many junior support jobs have been offered to people who're still on their course and haven't got any qualifications yet. At least this will get you on your way. If you'd like to keep travelling time and costs to a minimum, then you'll probably find that a local (but specialised) recruitment consultancy might be more appropriate than a national service, as they're going to have insider knowledge of local employment needs.
Many trainees, it seems, conscientiously work through their course materials (sometimes for years), and just give up when it comes to finding the right position. Sell yourself... Work hard to get in front of employers. Good jobs don't just knock on your door.
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