'CompTIA' ('Computing Technology Industry Association') is a non-profit enterprise that was formed in 1982. They have grown step by step and now lead the world in IT qualifications that are vendor neutral. This effectively means they are free to independently develop and monitor exams & qualifications that are required by the I.T. market, regardless of a specific company's commercial interests. With today's move towards inter connectivity & systems 'convergence', this is seen as a great step for the IT trainee, because it offers cross-platform learning and a comprehension of integration. Each time a new syllabus is created, CompTIA invites a number of academic and industrial groups to come together & validate that each aspect has been considered equally, & the packages are appropriate from a commercial perspective.

Several of these roles are often starting points for advanced level I.T. careers, and so, as with all career-tracks, its important to first consider what your end goals are, & which kind of learning-style you favour. Take time to go through the whole thing with a training & I.T. advisor - it will protect you from any set-backs in the future. IT Training organisations may offer to create a personalised training-path by assembling a selection of programs to get the trainee from where they're starting from to where they would like to end up.

For the 'A+' examinations give yourself more or less 100 to 150 hours to train & prepare, & a bit less for the Network+ examinations (maybe around 75 to 100 hrs). With the best multi-media training that is backed up by accredited examination practice software, both accreditations could very well be accomplished within six months for the student who is studying whilst holding down employment.

For the new student to I.T., 'CompTIA' offers the basic foundation training in many sectors. Anyone wanting to get into networks and support, or servers, security & systems will most often begin with 'CompTIA', although it is fair to state that CompTIA certifications will improve just about any Curriculum Vitae designed for the I.T. market. The latest package of starter level courses called 'STRATA' have been put together by CompTIA. These are for people who need a more effective idea of basic I.T. knowledge, but do not always work in I.T. themselves.

On to the '09 version of the Network+ - N10-004 has become the examination number. In addition to the strong component of managing networks & their infrastructures, this latest exam concentrates to a great extent on security, design and wireless skill-sets.

As a part of their 'ISO' standardisation move, 'CompTIA' have up-graded both A+ and Network+ exams to 2009 versions. Worldwide the 2006/2007 versions of 'A+' (those with examination pre-fix numbers '600') will be phased-out within the coming year. In the UK, they discontinue on 31st August 2010. Up to that time, students can take either the 600 or the more recent 700 examinations in regional test centres (specifically Vue & Prometric). Reason dictates that new entrant trainees should learn edition '2009'. A+ 2009 is currently presented as '220-701' CompTIA A+ Essentials & '220-702' 'CompTIA' 'A+' Practical Application. The principle changes were a complete re-structuring of the preceding four examinations into just 2 exams, and the inclusion of some teaching on newer technologies. Even though the older 'A+' had 4 exams in the complete program, only two were necessary for the accreditation. Nowadays the industry demands workers with expertise that used to be in all the four preceding examinations. Individuals will get that information from the two '2009' essential A+ programs. CompTIA have also produced the 'BR-003' 'up-grade' examination, for students certified in the 600 examinations who wish to up-date to the new '700' exams. Passing the up-grade examination will almost always demand additional study, although this ought not to be too much of a challenge for people who formerly studied all four. Adequate study time should be factored in for the new aspects though.

Any of the job roles that follow are all appropriate for the applicant with a 'CompTIA' A+ certification: Call Centre Technician, Remote Support Technician, Depot Technician, Help Desk Technician, Field Service Technician, PC Technician & IT Administrator. CompTIA 'Network+' presents possibilities for Network Administrators and Technicians, IT Cable Installers and Network Installers.

Essentially the most popular of all of the CompTIA qualifications are undoubtedly the A+ & the Network+. Collectively they comprise the first step toward many career paths in I.T., & consequently are frontrunners in their field. A+ courses cover all the fundamentals of PC maintenance, fault-finding and repair; including security, installation and support. So that you can become established in the IT industry, the 'A+' also handles a number of communication & personal skills. 'Network+' takes things further, by working on a more in depth knowledge of how networks operate and connect with one another. 'Security' is obviously paramount, & wireless technology is discussed to some extent. CompTIA A+ & 'Network+' will give you a firm basis for a Systems career in I.T., and also a great basis for other more more senior qualification programs.

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