With an abundance of computer training courses to choose from, it's sometimes daunting to know what to look for. Find one that corresponds with your character and abilities, and that will be a useful asset in the working environment. If you're mulling over advancing your technological abilities, perhaps with a Microsoft Office Package, or even loftier ambitions, you can choose from many training options.

By minimising their overheads, training companies now exist with modern courses that blend the finest training and support for much lower prices than those expected from the old-style trainers.

One of the most important things to insist on has to be comprehensive 24x7 direct-access support through expert mentors and instructors. So many companies we come across only provide office hours (or extended office hours) support. Avoid those companies who use 'out-of-hours' messaging systems - with your call-back scheduled for office hours. It's not a lot of help when you've got study issues and want support there and then.

The very best programs offer an internet-based round-the-clock system involving many support centres over many time-zones. You will be provided with an easy to use environment which seamlessly accesses whichever office is appropriate any time of the day or night: Support when it's needed. Don't compromise when it comes to your support. The vast majority of trainees who fall by the wayside, are in that situation because of a lack of support.

Exam 'guarantees' are sometimes offered as part of a training package - this always means exams have to be paid for upfront, when you pay for the rest of your course. Before you jump at a course with such a promise, why not be aware of the facts:

Patently it isn't free - you're still coughing up for it - the cost has just been rolled into the whole training package. The honest truth is that if a student pays for their own exams, when they're ready to take them and not before, there's a much better chance they'll qualify each time - as they'll be conscious of what they've paid and will therefore apply themselves appropriately.

Does it really add up to pay your training course provider up-front for examinations? Hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you're ready, instead of paying a premium - and take it closer to home - not at somewhere of their bidding. Big margins are netted by some training companies that get money for exam fees in advance. For various reasons, many students don't take their exams but no refunds are given. Believe it or not, there are training companies who rely on that fact - as that's very profitable for them. The majority of companies will require you to sit pre-tests and not allow you to re-take an exam until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - making an 'exam guarantee' just about worthless.

Exams taken at VUE and Prometric centres are around 112 pounds in this country. Why spend so much more on 'Exam Guarantee' fees (most often hidden in the package) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.

Always expect an accredited exam preparation programme as part of your training package. Confirm that the mock exams aren't just asking you the right questions on the right subjects, but also asking them in the exact format that the real exams will phrase them. It throws students if the questions are phrased in unfamiliar formats. Always have some simulated exam questions so you'll be able to verify your knowledge along the way. Mock exams prepare you properly - so the real thing isn't quite as scary.

Don't get hung-up, like so many people do, on the training course itself. You're not training for the sake of training; you're training to become commercially employable. Stay focused on what it is you want to achieve. It's quite usual, in some situations, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training but end up spending 10 or 20 years in a job you hate, as a consequence of not performing some quality research at the outset.

You need to keep your eye on what you want to achieve, and build your study action-plan from that - don't do it back-to-front. Stay on target - making sure you're training for something that'll reward you for many long and fruitful years. We advise all students to talk with an experienced advisor before following a particular learning program. This helps to ensure it contains the commercially required skills for the chosen career.

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