The IT Courses for Beginners Guide: Which IT Course Should You Do?

No matter what level IT skills you currently have, there’s an employer who needs you. Computer IT courses are your ticket to a stable salary, choice of job openings and a career full of challenge.

The demand for IT skills in the UK has risen by 98% in the past five years alone, with employers across virtually all industries needing their workers to have a grasp on digital.

The IT sector is well on its way to becoming one of the highest valued industries in the Europe, as well as around the world, which means the advantages of studying IT continue to multiply.

With England boasting the highest proportion of IT careers in the UK; Scotland is quickly beginning to catch up. If you want to study computing, now is the best time to do so and you’ll find plenty of popular courses in this article to help you on your way.

But in order to improve your IT skills, or start to look into a career change in IT, you first need to understand the basics. With hundreds of courses, careers and programs to choose from, the process of finding the course that’s right for you can seem impossible. From IT courses in London, across the UK or IT courses through distance learning to look at, we’ve taken some of the hassle out of finding what course is best for you.

(Be sure to also check out our article on the 5 things you should know before embarking on an IT course!)

First, the basics.

If you want to update your skills in IT, but don’t want to pursue a career in this area, these are some of the best IT courses you can choose from. Skills in information technology are easily transferable across different industries and are especially useful in business administration, project management and more. The best part about IT, is that you can develop your skills without having to look towards higher education. While level 3 IT courses are one of the most popular in this area, short courses are just as valuable.

One of the best all-rounder skills you can have is decent knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite. These Universally-used programs are seen in virtually every industry and are great IT skills to have on a CV. With plenty of Microsoft short courses online to choose from in the UK, you can add these valuable skills to your CV in no time. Certifications, or short courses, can hold a lot of value, even if not accredited. If you want to gain skills fast, a certification can prove a great option, especially for those already working or juggling commitments and who might not have time to put in hours of study. 44% of recruiters in IT believe that certifications are valuable, such as the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Solutions Engineer (MCSE) courses can make an application stand out in lieu of experience.

For those after something a little more advanced…

MCSA courses are needed to advance to more advanced Microsoft Certifications such as the MCSE certificates. You can use these credentials to explore or specialise in a particular area, such as:

MCSE courses are the more advanced Microsoft certificates, which show that you have passed exams related to a number of Microsoft operating systems, networking and computing areas. MCSE courses can be found in areas including:

IT skills are sought after in general, but some areas are hotter than others. If you want to upskill in the areas that have the greatest employment opportunities and boast some of the best paying jobs in the UK; these are the careers for you. With plenty of career prospects for these skilled IT professional fields; all the relevant information you need to make your decision is right here.

IT security is a growing concern among business and governments alike, and as the concern grows; so does the need for IT Security Specialists. Worldwide, there will be 1.5 million more jobs for Information security professionals than there are people skilled in this area by 2020.

This makes it one of the most sought-after skill sets needed, not just in the UK, by around the world. While most in this IT field have a Bachelor degree or postgraduate diploma; a short courses in IT security can be a great way of getting a taste for what this exciting area has to offer.

IT security is the protection of systems, databases and data used in businesses or government bodies. IT security specialists prevent unauthorised access to important files, data and information and maintains that these don’t fall into the wrong hands. Viruses, hacker and malware is constantly trying to access information that can be dangerous if accessed by the wrong people, so specialists in these fields develop security systems to stop this.

Computer networking is a series of connected computers, servers, devices or programs which allow for the sharing of data, information and more. The best example of a type of network is the internet, which connects billions of people, devices and systems across the world. Networking is especially useful in businesses and is a sought-after skill to have. One of the most important aspects of networking is to try and ensure the best experience for users through fast, efficient computer networks.

IT engineers invent, develop and build computer hardware and software for businesses. They work with installing and designing systems, networks, applications and software that streamline processes. IT Engineers are also involved in maintaining and troubleshooting these in a business and developing solutions to fix any arising problems, such as penetration testers.

IT technical support officers are in high demand across the UK, with the increasing number of computers, networks and systems integrating themselves into workplaces, the need for skilled professionals to help is growing. IT Support workers monitor and maintain both software and hardware, troubleshooting, diagnosing and mending any faults or errors that occur. Virtually every business has IT support workers, who are especially seen in medium and large organisations.

One thing you see a lot in IT, is the use of different types of software, programs and systems that are used to streamline the process and are especially useful to businesses. With so many IT courses in the UK specialising in these fields; it can be hard to work out which can be best for you to upskill in. We’ve put together a guide of two of the most common IT qualifications, CompTIA and Cisco to help you determine which is the best for you.

What does CompTIA stand for?

CompTIA stands for the Computing Technology Industry Association

What is CompTIA?

CompTIA is the world’s leading provider of IT certifications and have lead to over 200,000 people becoming certified across the globe. CompTIA certifications focus on developing the skills and training needed in areas such as security, networking, Linux development, cloud computing and computer support. As one of the most trusted IT training courses, these courses are a brilliant choice to help you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs.

How to get certified in CompTIA

CompTIA courses range across many different areas, with hundreds of accredited CompTIA courses available in-class or online in the UK. Just some of the more popular courses include:

What is Cisco Networking?

Cisco Systems Inc. is the world leader in computer networking for the internet. Cisco’s range of solutions in networking helps to connect devices, computers and networks to lead to the transfer of information seamlessly across the world. A Cisco certification is a great way to learn the basics of networking, development, security and IT management and are recognised IT qualifications worldwide.

The IT industry is booming, and with so many challenging careers that you can pursue, it’s also an industry brimming with opportunity. From the basic IT skills right up to the professional level; these skills are in demand in virtually every area, sector or country across the world and are an excellent addition to any cv. By now, you should have a good idea as to the types of Information technology careers available in the UK, as well as an understanding of what courses are available to you.

So what’s next? If you saw a course you liked, simply fill out an enquiry form for more information and you could be well on your way to new skills and a new career!