IT Qualifications - Distance Learning

[Justin]

I'm finally looking at getting around to gaining some more IT qualifications, CompTIA/MS etc. Like I don't have enough to do! lol.

Had a bad experience with a distance learning company a few years so wondering if anyone can recommend companies that they have used? I was looking at Computeach and quite like the way they structure payment/courses but you're a little limited on the different courses.

OU may be an option and I would like to finally get that degree at some stage.

Appreciate any advice

[Renniwano]

I have used ICS before but not sure what they have available now.. it's been a LONG time since I studied like that.

[Justin]

I think it was them I had the bother with That said, it was also a long while ago and I'm sure things have changed over the years!

[newsgroupmonkey]

Something I'm afraid I know about. Long post ahead (probably).....

I currently work within the IT industry. The first thing I'll say is that people not in the industry put too much focus on qualifications that they think they need rather than what they actually need.
The area I work in is around support / helpdesk / development and implementation. I work for a top 10 IT outsourcing company so I hope I know a little about this - I do recruit too.

in addition, I know quite a lot about the OU. My parents met through the OU. They are now both lecturers (My Stepdad was a traditional student, My Mum got 2 degrees and a Masters through the OU). My Wife has 2 degrees too, one of which is through the OU.

Firstly, Computeach are well respected within the industry, but there is something to be said for classroom teaching. I've also had fun and games with ICS and I would probably avoid them. If you can take a week off and cough up a grand and a half, it does beat doing it alone.
Focus on what skills you want to develop. There are so many people with MCSEs and MCSDs, you'll not stand out. Look for something different. If you want to work in web development, consider not only doing the HTML 5 through Microsoft, but getting some Apache, PHP, Java, CSS too. If you want to work in my space, I would actually recommend getting things like ITIL v3, Prince 2 and so on. The rest of it comes with experience.

Again, we mostly use HP business software. If I was taking someone on for Operations Management (OM) for instance, if someone has 2-3 years experience and a good reference, I would take them on over someone with little practical experience but the full HP suite of qualifications.

Secondly, OU. Very well respected within academics - my wife got her pick and choose of brick-built masters because of a first class honours which requires higher grades than a regular university for instance. My Mum has a top-end educational job with a world-renowned organisation and has a very fancy title. Her only brick built qualifications are the PhD she did with my Stepdad as her supervisor!
The downside with the OU is that it's now bloody expensive. They now have dispensation for students to not only study OU full time, but also take out regular student loans.

Therefore, to do an OU degree, it will cost you around £5k or £15k for a completed degree (if you haven't studied before, you might require some foundation courses which are extra).

If you want to do some degree based qualifications, you might want to consider studying with MIT (yes, that MIT!). They offer free courses.....

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/new-courses/ ... er-science

[accdave]

When I was an IT Manager and recruiting for staff you wouldn't believe the number of people who applied thinking they were experts with an ECDL qualification.

Unfortunately I hit the big 50 and therefore by law was too old for IT Hence I took up this very low paid, extreme hours printing thing.

I think it really does depend if you are persuing it for employment reasons or personal achievement

[Justin]

Many thanks, very interesting reading I'm looking at the options for different courses, probably more for personal achievement but it may well lead to other opportunities. It's very interesting to hear what qualifications are required/expected, love the ECDL reference btw

I would like to specialised more in a support role, hardware related. Started down the college/uni route with Microcomputer Technology and wasted a great opportunity there. Maybe its just a mid life thing but I've always wanted to achieve a certain level to prove to myself that I'm capable. I've looked into IT jobs before that I could do perfectly well but I've never had the paperwork to back it up.

Computeach do look good and whilst initially the payment appears expensive you appear to get a lot for your money, as much as you can digest really as the payment covers you for as much as you can study. I did think the OU would be an expensive route although the options are far greater. This may be a secondary route after I've done the CompTia etc.

I have a contact running our local councils IT dept. so I think I'll do some digging and see what they expect. Opportunities are limited here in Shetland but so are the candidates and everything works differently up here

[maskedhero]

Hi,

I work in IT also but for a company that specialises in the education sector and can echo what newsgroupmonkey said above, think about what specific role you would like.

The qualifications on the CV will get you through the door and at least a telephone interview but we put a lot of emphasis on the person as well. Customer relations is a big part of our role so someone who can communicate at a simple level that the client can understand but doesn't necessarily have the experience, will get the job every time. I can teach someone the technical aspects of the role but finding someone with the ability to explain technical problems/solutions to non-technical customers is harder.

I am currently working through my PRINCE2 qualification with ICS and only have good things to say about them.

More than happy to look through any courses you're thinking about and offer my advice.

Nathan