Should you purely want to get a good understanding of how to use a PC for simple operations, the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence is the right program for you. It will teach you how to run the standard components of "Windows" (the system that 'runs' the majority of personal PC's.) You'll get to know more about the way to log-on to the net, and the way to get on to and find your way around website pages and handle e-mail. This course also introduces you to word-processing, spreadsheets and databases.

If you need to up your skills for work-related purposes, you may want to have some more formal training. A specialist working knowledge of Microsoft Office is the next reasonable move. The most useful commercial accreditations teaching Office are Microsoft 'Office Specialist' & 'Microsoft Certification Application Specialist' (recognised recognised in industry as MOS & MCAS). 'MOS' has been around for several years and is based around 'Office' 2003 and 'XP', which is still very well used in business. 'MCAS' works with Office 2007 & Vista, so undoubtedly provides for better life expectancy. You will find individual exams for both that go into "Word", "Excel", 'Powerpoint' and "Access" - for word processing, 'spreadsheets', presentations and 'databases'. These certifications will demonstrate to an employer that you're appropriately trained to utilise these applications to their maximum level.

If you are looking at a career move into I.T., it's possible that you will want to begin somewhere around these programs, depending on your present level of IT literacy. We'd advise you talk about your options on training programs & I.T. careers with an industry advisor if you've got more complex ambitions. But virtually any full job change ideas really should be talked over prior to diving in - it is a sensible approach to confirm the training you decide on is actually right for the job. Half an hour of time spent planning and examining the most effective way forward will pay dividends twelve months or so from now.

You'll come across courses which guarantee examination passes - they always involve paying for the exam fees up-front, at the start of your training. Before you get carried away with guaranteed exams, be aware of the facts:

These days, we're a tad more knowledgeable about sales gimmicks - and usually we know that for sure we are actually being charged for it (it isn't free or out of the goodness of their hearts!) If it's important to you to pass in one, evidence suggests you must avoid exam guarantees and pay when entering exams, give it the necessary attention and apply yourself as required.

Does it really add up to pay a training course provider in advance for exam fees? Find the best deal you can when you're ready, instead of paying a premium - and do it in a local testing centre - rather than possibly hours away from your area. Huge profits are secured by many training colleges that get money for exam fees in advance. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don't get to do their exams but the company keeps the money. Surprising as it sounds, there are providers who actually bank on it - as that's where a lot of their profit comes from. Re-takes of previously unsuccessful exams with companies with an 'Exam Guarantee' inevitably are heavily regulated. You'll be required to sit pre-tests until you've demonstrated an excellent ability to pass.

With average prices for VUE and Pro-metric tests coming in at approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain, it's common sense to fund them one by one. There's no sense in throwing away maybe a thousand pounds extra at the start of your studies. Study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.

Trainees hopeful to kick off a career in IT often have no idea of which direction they should take, or what market to get certified in. Because with no solid background in computing, how can most of us be expected to know what anyone doing a particular job actually does? Achieving the right conclusion will only come from a methodical examination covering many varying factors:

- Your personality type as well as your interests - the sort of working tasks you enjoy or dislike.

- Why you want to consider getting involved with the IT industry - maybe you want to overcome some personal goal such as working for yourself for example.

- Your earning requirements you have?

- Considering the huge variation that IT encompasses, you'll need to be able to see what is different.

- You should also think long and hard about the amount of time and effort you're going to give to your training.

Ultimately, your only chance of checking this all out is from a long chat with someone that understands the market well enough to give you the information required.

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