'CompTIA' ('Computing Technology Industry Association') is a non-profit company formed in the early 1980's. They've grown progressively & now are world leaders in I.T. accreditations that are vendor-neutral. This means they are able to supply & oversee independent industry-recognised I.T. examinations & qualifications that do not support a single company's interests over another. Because systems frequently converge and inter-connect in the business world, this supplies the IT trainee with a more rounded knowledge and understanding of cross-platform 'integration'. CompTIA brings together different commercial & learned industry groups when building or up-dating an examination, to ensure all sides are thought about & the very best commercially related syllabuses are created.

The A+ program and the Network+ training are CompTIAs most widely recognised certifications. Both of them, as a set, create the building blocks of many current IT career tracks - and for good reason. The CompTIA 'A+' certification goes over the basics of PC maintenance, installation, support, security, fault-finding and repair. To help you to become established in the I.T. industry, the 'A+' also covers a variety of communication & personal abilities. Expanding on this awareness, the 'Network+' qualification examines networks, (including routers & servers) and describes exactly how they inter-connect. Both 'Security' and wireless technology are dealt with to a certain degree. Having both of these accreditations will give a good platform for anybody looking to get into the 'systems' side of the IT sector, together with a platform of knowledge for additional certification.

In 2009 both programs under-went up-grades, & new examinations are actually in existence for them both. Internationally the 2006-2007 versions of 'A+' (with examination prefix 600) will be phased out within the coming year. After 31st August 2010 they will not be available in Britain. As both the '600', & the recently released 700 examinations are now available to sit in 'prometric' & 'Vue' test-centres, it seems sensible to study the '700' exams now, & avoid having to re-certify later. The specific A+ '09 examinations are now: 'CompTIA' A+ Essentials (examination 220/701) and 'CompTIA' 'A+' Practical Application (exam 220-702.) Along with some additional material on more recent technologies, there are now 2 exams which cover aspects of all 4 of the preceding examinations. The old format was one compulsory Essentials examination and 3 'electives', of which just one needed to be taken. Right now the marketplace needs workers with expertise that was in all the four earlier examinations. Students will learn that information from the two new compulsory A+ programs. 'CompTIA' also have released the BR/003 bridging exam, for students qualified under the 600 examinations who need to update to the new '700' exams. Further training will almost certainly end up being necessary, especially for those who only initially studied for two of the 4 electives. Adequate study time should be factored in for the new technology aspects however.

New starters in the IT sector can look to 'CompTIA' for quite a number of their initial study courses. Wherever a trainee decides to build a career in I.T., there are 'CompTIA' certifications that will augment their abilities. Those who are especially considering Networks, Security, Systems, Support, Communications & Servers are particularly well served. CompTIA are now also marketing STRATA certifications - these are not specifically for those employed in the I.T. sector, but for those whose roles require a fundamental knowledge of computers.

The CompTIA A+ exams are primarily aimed at anyone wanting to start a job in any of the following roles: Call Centre Technician, Depot Technician, Field Services Technician, PC Technician, Help Desk Technician, IT Administrator & Remote Support Technician. 'CompTIA' Network+ presents possibilities for Network Administrators and Technicians, Network Installers and IT Cable Installers.

For the 'A+' examinations give yourself more or less 100-150 hours to study & prepare, and somewhat less for the Network+ exams (possibly up to 75-100 hours). Learning part time, this can be achieved over a six month time period if you choose an appropriate quality of training & first-rate examination prep software.

Clearly these roles frequently lead onto far more advanced roles if the appropriate certifications have been put in place. That is why it's very important to examine your long-term plans before choosing your career training track. This means a discussion with a professional training expert to ensure that the course you select is right and cost effective. it is often a good option to think about tailored career training bundles that include the A+ and Network+ programs. 'Bundling' a number of program materials together can be very cost effective.

On to the '09 version of the Network+ - 'N10-004' is currently the examination reference number. Along with maintaining it's focus on network management and infrastructure, the up-graded '2009' exam places an increased importance on Security, wireless networking abilities & network-design principles.

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