IT Career Starter

Who is it for?

If you want to begin a career in IT, this course provides just the grounding you need. You'll need an interest in computing, and a desire to turn this into a rewarding career. You may be thinking of specialising in PC support, or working towards a network administrator role.

Where can it lead?

As a generalist course, this qualification can lead to almost any career in IT. Its immediate application would be in the areas of network administration and PC support, but further training and experience could lead you into more specialised areas, such as system administration, database development or software development.

Salary?

Computing continues to be a growth industry, and qualified professionals are in demand. An entry level position in IT support would be expected to pay around £17,000 to £20,000 a year, rising to £27,000 with experience.

Can I apply?

For this course, you will need to have basic PC skills and be familiar with Windows and Windows applications.

Course Code

820

Period of study

100 hours

What will I study?      

a) A+ (Essentials and Core Specialist)

Personal Computer Components

• Identify the fundamental principles of using personal computers.
• Learn how to install, configure, optimise and upgrade personal computer components.
• Examine the tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques used for personal computer components.
• Discover how to perform preventive maintenance on personal computer components.

Laptop and Portable Devices

• Identify the fundamental principles of using laptops and portable devices.
• Learn how to install, configure, optimise and upgrade laptops and portable devices.
• Examine the tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques used for laptops and portable devices.
• Discover how to perform preventive maintenance on laptops and portable devices.

Operating Systems

• Identify the fundamental principles of operating systems.
• Learn how to install, configure, optimise and upgrade operating systems.
• Discover how to perform preventive maintenance on operating systems.

Printers and Scanners

• Identify the fundamental principles of using printers and scanners.
• Learn how to install, configure, optimise and upgrade printers and scanners.
• Examine the tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques used for printers and scanners.
• Discover how to perform preventive maintenance on printers and scanners.

Networks

• Identify the fundamental principles of networks.
• Learn how to install, configure, optimise and upgrade networks.
• Examine the tools and diagnostic procedures used to troubleshoot network problems.
• Discover how to perform preventive maintenance on networks, including securing and protecting network cabling.

Security

• Identify the fundamental principles of security.
• Learn how to install, configure, optimise and upgrade security.
• Examine the tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques used for security.
• Discover how to perform preventive maintenance for computer security.

Safety and Environmental Issues

• Explore safety and environmental issues.
• Identify potential hazards and proper safety procedures.
• Learn the proper disposal procedures for batteries, display devices, and chemical solvents and cans.

Communication and Professionalism

• Acquire good communication skills.
• Explore professional behaviour.

b) Network+

Media and Topologies

• Explore different network topologies, such as star or ring.
• Compare a range of networking technologies, as well as a variety of cable standards.
• Examine different media connectors, media types and media components.
• Study different wireless technologies, as well as the factors that can affect the range and speed of wireless service.

Protocols and Standards

• Examine the seven layers of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnect) model.
• Explore a wide range of network services and protocols, as well as the ports that are associated with these services and protocols. Study WAN (Wide Area Network) technologies and Internet access technologies.

Network Implementation

• Explore the capabilities of various server operating systems to access resources.
• Discover the basic capabilities needed for client workstations to connect to and use network resources. Learn how to use a range of wiring tools.
• Explore firewalls, proxy services, VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks), extranets, intranets, antivirus software, fault tolerance and disaster recovery.

Network Support

• Learn how to use a range of network utilities for troubleshooting.
• Discover how to develop logical troubleshooting strategies to enable you to identify and resolve problems.

Assessment

You’ll sit three exams:

• A+ Essentials (220-701): The exam will last 90 minutes and will be completed on a computer. The pass mark is 675 out of 900.
• A+ Practical (220-702): The exam will last 90 minutes and will be completed on a computer. The pass mark is 700 out of 900.
• Network+ (N10-004): The exam will last 90 minutes and will consist of 90 questions. The pass mark is 720 out of 900.

Notes

The exams can be sat at your local testing centre. Please note that exam fees are additional to your course fees.

The format of each exam is subject to change. The details provided are intended only as a guide and should not be regarded as definitive.

Technical requirements/Fees

The minimum system spec required to run our CD-ROMs is:

• 600MHz Intel Pentium III processor or equivalent
• Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista
• 128MB RAM (256MB RAM recommended)
• 128MB available disc space
• CD-ROM drive
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01SP2.