If you're looking for an MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) course, pay attention to the fact that there are many different types of training; some work and some don't. You will find a variety of courses, whether you're a beginner, or a professional ready to gain accredited qualifications. To qualify for an MCSA you need to pass 4 Microsoft Certified Professional exams (MCP's). If this is your first entry into computing exams, the chances are you'll be required to improve your skill-set before attempting to go for the first of the four MCP's. Look for a company with people who can help you sort out the right way to tackle your goal and can match a course start point to your current skill set.

So, why ought we to be looking at commercial qualifications and not more traditional academic qualifications gained through schools, colleges or universities? Accreditation-based training (as it's known in the industry) is far more effective and specialised. Industry has realised that specialisation is essential to handle an increasingly more technical marketplace. Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA are the big boys in this field. Typically, only that which is required is learned. It's slightly more broad than that, but the principle remains that students need to cover the precise skills needed (with some necessary background) - without going into too much detail in every other area (as universities often do).

When it comes down to the nitty-gritty: Authorised IT qualifications provide exactly what an employer needs - the title is a complete giveaway: for example, I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Planning and Maintaining a Windows 2003 Infrastructure'. Therefore an employer can identify exactly what they need and what certifications are needed for the job.

How can job security truly exist anywhere now? In a marketplace like the UK, where industry can change its mind at alarming speeds, it certainly appears not. We're able though to find security at market-level, by searching for areas of high demand, coupled with a shortage of skilled staff.

Taking a look at the IT market, a recent e-Skills survey brought to light an over 26 percent skills deficit. Meaning that for each 4 job positions in existence throughout computing, there are barely three qualified workers to fulfil that role. Properly taught and commercially grounded new workers are accordingly at a total premium, and it looks like they will be for many years to come. In reality, acquiring professional IT skills as you progress through the next year or two is almost definitely the greatest career move you'll ever make.

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