We all have a great number of demands on our time, and most often should we have cause to learn a new profession, training at the same time as holding down a job is what we have to do. Microsoft authorised training could offer a solution. It's a good idea to discuss the job possibilities with a training advisor - and if you haven't come to a decision, then have some guidance on whereabouts in industry would suit you most, based on your personality and ability level. Training programs must be designed to match your current skills and aptitude. Therefore, having got to grips with the most appropriate area of work for you, you'll then need to look at what is the most applicable training course that will get you into that job.

So, why might we choose commercially accredited qualifications as opposed to familiar academic qualifications obtained from tech' colleges and universities? As we require increasingly more effective technological know-how, industry has had to move to specific, honed-in training that the vendors themselves supply - that is companies like Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA. This frequently provides reductions in both cost and time. University courses, for instance, can often get caught up in vast amounts of loosely associated study - with much too broad a syllabus. Students are then prevented from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.

The bottom line is: Commercial IT certifications let employers know exactly what you're capable of - it says what you do in the title: for example, I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Managing and Maintaining Windows Server 2003'. So companies can identify exactly what they need and what certifications will be suitable to deal with those needs.

Often, trainers provide a bunch of books and manuals. This isn't very interesting and isn't the best way to go about achieving retention. Where possible, if we can study while utilising as many senses as possible, then the results are usually dramatically better.

Locate a program where you'll get a host of CD and DVD ROM's - you'll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, and be able to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills. Make sure to obtain a study material demo' from your training provider. The materials should incorporate expert-led demonstrations, slideshows and fully interactive skills-lab's.

It's folly to opt for on-line only training. With highly variable reliability and quality from the ISP (internet service provider) market, you should always obtain disc based courseware (On CD or DVD).

There is no way of over emphasising this: You have to get round-the-clock 24x7 support from professional instructors. You will have so many problems later if you don't heed this. Avoid those companies that use messaging services 'out-of-hours' - with the call-back coming in during typical office hours. This is no use if you're stuck and need an answer now.

World-class organisations provide an online access 24x7 system utilising a variety of support centres over many time-zones. You'll have a single, easy-to-use interface which seamlessly selects the best facility available at any time of day or night: Support when it's needed. Never settle for a lower level of service. 24x7 support is the only viable option for technical learning. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; usually though, we're working when traditional support if offered.