It takes more than unwavering tenacity to break through and make it in the competitive world of IT. According to the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) Africa, job-hunters and new candidates must adopt a vigilant attitude towards certification, credibility of training and material, as well as the job application process.
As the recognised representative voice behind the local ICT industry as well as owner of international certification such as A+, Network+ and Security+, CompTIA Africa continues to promote the necessity of genuine certification as the most effective means of recognising real capability in a job applicant.
The candidate stands a much better chance of gaining employment with a real certification behind their name than a mere attendance certificate or over-night qualification.
To better serve the interests of the ICT community and those wishing to enter and help develop the sector, CompTIA Africa has some advice. For new applicants fresh on the trail of employment opportunities the following information should be borne in mind:
* Choose an authorised training provider: Ensure that the training provider you select is approved by the ISETT ETQA as well as authorised by the international vendor who`s certifications you are planning to obtain. Verify any claims of approval with the body or vendor involved.
Choose a training provider that can provide you with as much practical exposure as possible. International certifications are aimed at individuals with practical experience. Examinations are scenario-based and cannot be passed unless you have had extensive practical exposure.
* Certify! An attendance certificate issued by a training provider is not any proof of your competence. Ensure that you take the international examination at an authorised test centre. These certifications are not only recognised by local employers, but also internationally.
* Avoid shortcuts. Ensure that you get a solid foundation before specialising in an IT field. The foundation must be secure before you can build on it. For instance a technical certification requires basic PC knowledge provided by, for instance, an A+ certification.
* Scan newspapers and IT publications to see what the current need is in the industry. Map your career path and ensure that you get the right certifications. CompTIA certifications are internationally recognised as solid foundation skills required by IT professionals. CompTIA has done extensive research in IT career paths and job skills for many IT positions.
For more assistance, click through to www.tcc.comptia.org. This site supplies the skills, tasks and certifications required for many IT positions.
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