SkillsTrain Reviews from Students

Though currently not an achievement, it is a step in the right direction. I recently applied for an internal role within the telecoms company that I work for to move from back office admin over to our Voice and Data faults team for customers.

Unfortunately I did not get the role this time, but this was due more to not having hands on experience on dealing with faults but I was praised highly for the knowledge that I had in regards to computers and how broadband works. This is something I would never have hoped to try and apply for if it was not for taking the PA course (CompTIA A+, N+ and MCSA).

I am about to arrange with the manager of the faults area to spend some time over there to listen in and have a try of the faults to get the hands on experience needed until I am able to apply again.

So thanks Skills Train for giving me the confidence to apply for a role that previously I thought was not possible.

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I have started doing all of my coursework and am now on track to hopefully pass with flying colours I am ahead of what I can submit as I have completed the work book and am now submitting all of my assignments. I am set on working for myself and have built a website and have made business cards and have been doing the occasional work on friends and families computers to help build my practical experience. http://phoenixcomputermaintenance.bravehost.com/ this is a link to my website.

I hope you see what I have done as, as much of an achievement as I do.

Thanks for reading

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I started as Jr. Accountant after my post graduation in 1977.Went to Africa and started as Chief Accountant and with dedication and sincerity I reached to the level of Chief Executive of Internal Audit Department. With huge responsibilities was difficult to take some time for my interest to learn more and more about IT. Even with that difficulties, after taking some time for family, I learned Programming in FoxPro Dos Base and after that in Visual Basic as front end with Access as Back-End at home without any help. At present I am in UK, age 56 years, working as Warehouse Manager but my thirst to know something different is still young and so I joined SKILLS TRAIN and decide to take some time to study more to gain more experience in different IT sectors.

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My mother drew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that is in you. Success is being praised by others. That is nice but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about success.

I am so thankful to everyone at skillstrain to be there all the way to my achievement and passing my exam. I have passed and got my career ID and certificate from CompTIA.

Thank you skillstrain.

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Just to let you know I passed my CompTIA Network+ 2009 edition exam on May 27 2010. I passed this exam even though I am a single parent bringing up two young sons, one of which is disabled.

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Despite the temptation of watching the World Cup I have managed to study a lot and submit many TMAs this month.

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Following redundancy then getting back into work...that now is very demanding and now involves a great deal of time abroad...I have finally achieved the goal of restarting my assignments ....one which with the current work load is for me a mile stone and a great accomplishment....

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This month I dedicated myself to studying the course and always was prepared to answer the questions for the next assignment. I have never been able to study this well before, and I have started to enjoy the course more.

I feel proud that I was able to complete the Section 1 - A within such a short time frame. Although I had to resubmit some TMA's I felt happy when I got feedback from tutors and was able to achieve higher marks on the following submitted TMAs.

Using the skills I have gathered from Section 1 - A, I have already been able to implement some of this at my work place.

Thanks Scott and Andrew for your support and marking my assignments promptly, I have been able to progress and remain focused on my course with your help.

Regards

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I feel that in the last month I have achieved more than I thought possible whilst looking after my 9 week old baby. I got 100% for my last assignment which I am very proud of. I thought I would struggle with my course now I have a baby to look after but I now feel more confident I can get through it if I just keep working hard.

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I have just passed the A+ and awaiting my certificate, studying 7 days a week for my N+ so that I can progress and start my new business. The course has inspired me to deliver a better user experience for my family and potential customers. I have just set up a 10 Computer Network for a friend who has a business selling grooming product all over the UK. I am so glad that I could assist his business.

All thanks to the A+.

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I am a soldier and will always be so busy specially these days as the conflict in Afghanistan among other places continue to go on. Every year as a soldier I need to achieve and maintain a certain level both mentally and physically. On top of that I need to complete pre-deployment training and exercises before deployment.

Sorry to explain above but why I thought this is important is that I want to emphasize that I am so busy and it is very difficult to find the time to study. I therefore study my course materials anywhere I can. After completing both physically and mentally demanding exercises I study my course materials in defensive trenches, in Jungles, in fields, in aircraft while mates were resting. I have studied in Afghanistan, Brunei and so on. Some time I wasn't able to submit any assignments as there is no internet available making life more difficult and meaning that I submit my work late. To add to this when I was in Afghanistan I lost two of my friends but I didn't gave up just continued.

When I arrived in Brunei as part of my duty, I had a bit of time and thought about attending the exam. After long search I finally found an IT institute. I join the institute for weekend only to enhance my study and pushed myself so hard. All my study was in night time and weekend of my work commitments and managing my infantry company.

As a result I never spend a bit of time playing game or on any recreational things. Then I reached a stage where I thought that I was ready for the A+ 2009 Essential exam and booked an exam. I was so worried and scared of failing and it all being a waste of all my hard work. I Sat on Exam on 02 Apr 10 and passed the exam scoring 880 out of 1000 score.

The result of the Essential exam brought my morale up and I thought that I can do A+ 2009 practical application exam too. I continued my hard work for few more months and book the exam for Practical Application. Sat on Exam on 08 July 2010 and passed scoring 847 out of 1000 score. I am now CompTIA A+ certified.

Through my study my tutors were there to help me for all aspect and I can't be selfish by not saying thanks them. So thank you very much my tutors.

Now I have started the CompTIA N+ and I am ready for the first TMA.

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I completed both A+ and N+ in 3 Months! I sat exams for both the certificates and passed first time! This required a lot of organisation and dedicated hard work on a daily basis. With two very active boys in the house it required me to stay calm and focused all the time.

I have swiftly moved onto CCNA!

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After battling with, and winning against cancer last year, plus operation and being very ill, I have finally got my books out again and am enjoying getting back in to studying!

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I've passed my CompTIA A+ in May 2010 and now I am halfway completing my CompTIA N+ as well. Thanks to Skills Train.

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I have been doing my plumbing course for about 18mths now, which May seem like a long time. I have had personal problems including two bereavements of my immediate family. During this time I very rarely picked up my course as I couldn't take in what I was reading but this last month I have got my motivation back I have handed in 3 TMA's in quick succession, started on my revision notes and cards and feel that I am ready to undertake my practical assessments. It would be nice to acknowledged for my achievements but my personal pride is what's most important.

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'ATTENUATION'


I recently had to install a digital aerial in my loft (can't get away from the fact that the whole country is going digital) and followed the instructions carefully, to connect the aerial to the TVs (using a 2 - way signal booster) I was surprised to see (or not see) that the reception was poor. As I did not know too much (at the time) about picture reception, I looked up the details of the literature relating to the aerial. This did not prove fruitful, as they always indicate how easy things are to install. I then tried disconnecting and reconnecting everything (yes, that old chestnut!) but too no avail. I then read the literature from other aerial companies - but alas no joy.
Eventually, after praying over it, I began to DEFINE the problem (first part of the DIReCtional Model) without realising. I knew that the digital signal must go from the aerial to the TV. The TVs were fine (you could bring the aerial to the TV and get a perfect picture) so that meant it had to be the cable, or so I concluded. This led me to read the literature for the 2-way signal booster, but with a renew confidence that I had 'Isolated' the occurrence. The literature for the 2-way booster also mentioned COAX cable installation. The reading of the word COAX was a very good moment for me, as it immediately made me think of my studies. At the time of installing the aerial, I was reading CompTIA Network+ Certification: 2009 Edition Part A - the section on ATTENUATION. I had a 'good' feeling I was soon going to solve the problem, because I knew that the key would be the testing for attenuation of my cable - from the aerial to the TV.
I then did some research and found out that you can purchase a digital TV 'signal meter'. Having done this, I found out that the signal to the TV was weak. I had, in all honesty, ISOLATED the wrong hardware item (the cable) as I found out through the literature enclosed, that the signal is effected by the position of the aerial. Continuously moving the aerial and testing with the meter, took my digital signal from 30dB to 70 dB.
Although this does seem obvious now (because I remember the old days of black and white TVs - moving the aerial around and finding the best positions was standing on a 3 foot ladder!!)
I was glad I solved the problem (and with the research I undertook) because I was under considerable pressure to get digital in the home - my wife says I'm the "computer expert" and she wasn't happy with the original plan of leaving a 4 foot aerial in the bedroom!
Any way, I submit this as a different type of achievement because throughout the course I have found out how 'detailed' problem solving can get. When things adversely affect me (especially as regards PCs) there is ALWAYS a 'key' to unlock the door at some point. In this case the key was 'attenuation'.

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Since joining in August through hard work end determination, I have managed to finish TMA assignments 01 to 04 with 3 100% and one 90%. Currently I am reviewing my part A again while waiting for the part B to arrive through the post. My goal is to learn all my work exceptionally well and to achieve the highest grades possible to be able to have the necessary knowledge to become the best plumber in London.

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I graduated in Chemistry some years back and was in a situation where a lot of the pharmaceutical companies were moving to far away remote areas.

As the main bread winner it was now for me to make a tough decision. I knew there was a lot of talk on IT. After taking advice from many friends, I decided to embark on an IT course.

Very quickly, I came across SkillsTrain and the different courses that were on offer. An Agent helped me decide and thereafter I never looked back.

After going through the course materials and completing TMAs, I passed my A+ and N+ first time and am now preparing for CCNA.

It's never easy with two young boys, who are full of energy, but dedication, commitment and focus are the keys to success.

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Before my CCNA course, I had little or no knowledge of pc repairs but, last 3 months I was able to help my sister-in-law fix her dell netbook. The pc was riddled by viruses, malware and spyware. The pc wasn't accepting any command if started normally. I tried the safe mode and also tried downloading a free version of Kaspersky anti-virus but it didn't work. I downloaded from my pc to a memory stick, run it on her netbook severally but it was still giving negative response.

Finally, I decided to copy her files to an external storage which I could do only through safe mode and restored the netbook back to its original state. The process of that destructive method was a bit bumpy for me but, I was happy at the end. I can't believe what I have acquired so far half way through my course.

Thanks.

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