Founded 28 years ago, the 'Computing Technology Industry Association' (or 'CompTIA' in short) is a not-for-profit institution. The operation produces vendor neutral qualifications that have made it a world number one in its field. This fundamentally means they're absolutely free to independently deliver & monitor exams & certifications that are required by the IT sector, irrespective of a particular company's commercial interests. With today's move to 'inter-connectivity' & systems 'convergence', this is seen as a great move for the I.T. student, because it gives cross-platform learning & an understanding of 'integration'. 'CompTIA' brings together several business & learned industry organisations when creating or upgrading an examination, to make sure that all sides are thought about & the very best commercially related syllabuses are created.

In 2009 each programme underwent upgrades, and new examinations are now in existence for them both. 'A+' examinations which began using the prefix 600 (i.e. the 2006-2007 edition) are being phased-out globally. After August 31st '10 they will no longer be accessible in the UK. As '2009' exams (version 700) are currently offered at test centres up and down the country, these newer learning programs are probably a more practical choice for anyone just starting out. A+ '09 is currently presented as '220-701' CompTIA A+ Essentials & 220/702 'CompTIA' 'A+' Practical Application. The 4 original examinations have been streamlined into two new examinations, and some further updated information has been included. Even though the old 'A+' had four examinations in the complete program, just two were needed for the qualification. As the market has developed, the knowledge from all 4 examinations is actually regarded as crucial, and so has been fine-tuned into 2 required assessments. An upgrade exam has been produced by CompTIA for anybody with the previous accreditation. 'BR-003' is the exam number. This could probably require further study, although less so if you covered all 4 of the earlier exams, rather than just the two that were required. Adequate training hours need to be factored in for the new elements though.

With regards to Network+ , the previous 'N10-003' has currently been replaced by the 'N10-004', the 2009 edition. A bigger importance is placed on Security in the '2009' Network+ examination, in addition to network design and wireless networking. This naturally is in addition to the key elements of network management and infrastructure.

CompTIA A+ & 'Network+' are by far the most commonly recognised of their accreditations. Both of them, as a group, form the foundation for many contemporary IT career-tracks - and for a good reason. 'A+' training programs cover all of the fundamentals of PC maintenance, fault-finding & repair; including installation, security and support. What's more, the 'A+' handles a number of relationship-building abilities that may help you communicate better with other people. Expanding on this knowledge, the N+ certification examines networks, (which includes routers & servers) and describes how they communicate with each other. Both Security and wireless technology are dealt with to some degree. Getting both of these accreditations will give a good grounding for anyone thinking of getting into the systems area of the I.T. market, as well as a foundation of understanding for further accreditation.

The job roles listed here are all feasible for the candidate with a 'CompTIA' 'A+' certification: IT Administrator, PC Technician, Field Service Technician, Remote Support Technician, Call Centre and Depot Technician & Help Desk Technician. Job prospects open up to include Network Installers, Administrators & Technicians when you pass the CompTIA Network+ too.

Normal study times for these examinations are estimated at in the region of 100 to 150 hours for the 'A+' , and 75 to 100 hrs for the 'Network+' . Using the best multi-media training package that is supported by accredited exam practice software, both qualifications could very well be achieved inside of 6 months for the trainee who's studying around employment.

For the new trainee to I.T., 'CompTIA' offers the basic foundation training programs in many sectors. Students seeking to get into networks & support, or systems, servers & security will usually start with CompTIA, although its true to state that 'CompTIA' accreditations will enhance any Resume targeted towards the I.T. sector. A new package of starter-level courses named 'STRATA' have been released by 'CompTIA'. These are designed for those who need a greater understanding of fundamental IT knowledge, but do not essentially work with IT themselves.

Naturally these job opportunities frequently lead on to much more advanced jobs if the relevant certifications are in place. That is why it's imperative to examine your long term options before picking out your career training path. Take the opportunity to go through the whole thing with a training & IT advisor - it will help safeguard you from any set-backs down the road. it is often a good option to consider tailored career-training packages that incorporate the A+ and 'Network+' courses. Bundling several course materials into one can be very cost-effective.

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