SkillsTrain Reviews from Students

To start of I new nothing to do about computers.I have just completed my pc hardware and maintenance part a which I have achieved not to bad results.I am already trying to fix peoples computers they are not major issues but its a starting point. I find it hard to study with my current work commitments but I find I am putting more effort into my studying than at work.I hope to achieve a lot more from my studying and hopefully get a career to be proud of.

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Although it took me longer than I had planned, I have now passed the A+ qualification and am now on to the N+ part of the course. The weeks and weeks of revision over Christmas ad the willpower to do well have really made it worth it!

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I started skills train a while ago with reasonable knowledge of computers in general after studying with them for a while I noticed I was learning more during my study time. I applied for an IT Network Support role and have now been working as a network support technician for 2 years. I find the course very beneficial to me and the information is always to hand. My employers support me and are happy that I'm studying at home so they can see I'm making an effort to further my career. I find Skills Train goes into more depth than most work places which is great as in your everyday working environment you might not be required to know things in great dept. But with the skills train you can. I look forward to the end of my coarse so I can then take another one :)

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Hello

have never blown my own trumpet before today, so here goes. Back in August 2008 I was made redundant working for a National third party IT company. I had been working in the IT industry proper since 1990, I already had CompTIA and other professional qualifications.

In September 2008 I enrolled at my local college in Filton, Bristol; to gain a couple of Level 2 qualifications. In October of the same year I had a major knee operation and although laid up for a while, it did not prevent me from returning back to college to resume my studies. In January 2009 I put myself on an NVQ Level 2 ITQ course at Tabs training. I was not working as having physiotherapy twice a week on my knee. So in February 2009 I enrolled with Skillstrain to do the latest CompTIA A+ course at that time the CompTIA N+ 2009 plus the CCNA course. In September 2009 I enrolled at New College, Swindon; to do a long distance Level 2 course, my final exam for this is in June 2010.

To cut to the chase it is now January 2010 and pleased to say I am now walking normally again. Plus I can pat myself on the back, because I passed my level 2 college exams, I have an NVQ Level 2 in ITQ. Passed both the CompTIA A+ 601 and 602 exams. Plus today 13th February 2010 just passed the CompTIA A+ 2009 Bridging exam. I have just updated my CV today. I have another exam at New College on March 2nd 2010. So I am planning on submitting my first TMA for the CompTIA N+ very soon.

Since my operation I have not applied for any jobs. However I will be submitting my CV shortly and see what work there is out there for me in the IT industry. To set the record straight I have not been able to claim benefits due to my redundancy money and savings I had.

So I will continue with my studies as best I can and try and get back to work as soon as possible. So I will give you all a further update in a year from now as to what I have accomplished.

Best regards

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I've just done TMA 19 and I got 100 % so I'm happy at some time it hard but I done it - I got 100%

thank you

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Achievements, May I call it like this? Sure. I was on the carpet today - I mean, boss wanted to talk with me. We had a small discussion. I received an proposal - to become a trainee of main network administrator (whole network consist of about 30 servers and about 500 workstations - to bring you in the picture). In a case, something will happen, he needs a backup. Sure, I will take it. Actually, it is a big opportunity to get into networking business, switches, Linux and Unix environment etc. of our CAN. My CISCO course is going forward slowly because of my deficit of time in the last weeks, but I study more effectively, and I am happy that I can do it my way. I am getting used to packet tracer, which is helpful in some cases. I hope to go forward. Good luck to all of you. Spring is coming soon... :)

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Passed both A+ exams

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I have found this a very useful course as I want to complete this course then once I have finished and passed the course I plan to start up my own business build & repairing computers as well as upgrading them.

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Thanks to skillstrain I have started my new career as a computer maintenance technician, for a worldwide leading computer company, so all that studying was well worth it, at the beginning it was hard to grasp but a lot of help from the tutors, and dedication I was soon to be gaining high marks, so a very big thanks.

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Well this might not sound like much of an achievement but I am pleased that despite the situations at work (work being a lot harder because of the economy, working long hours, the workload piling up etc.) I have still been able and have been determined to carry on and study the same amount every day.

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In July 2005 I was diagnosed with an eye condition, called Keratoconus. Which is thinning and bulging of the cornea making vision blurred. They said it was mild.

At the beginning of 2006 I enrolled on a IT Technicians course ( IT Practitioner Diploma in Systems Support) at my local college.

It was time for my yearly check up July '06 at hospital . To my shock the consultant told me that I was in the advanced stage of my condition (right eye) and that I needed a cornea transplant. As I was four months pregnant I did not go ahead with it.

As it was July, half way through my course and time for summer holidays I needed to make a decision. I was having trouble reading the computer screen when performing tasks, I didn't think much of it. it's weird because when you're out and about your using your eyes at different distances and you don't notice any changes in your vision. Also when your eyesight goes you forget what is normal, you get used to the sight that you end up with, well that's how I feel. I thought that I had a good five years left before I reached the advanced stage. Because of my eye condition and also that I would have been heavily pregnant towards the end of my course I decided to phone the college and cancel the course.

That's when I enrolled with Skillstrain for the A+ and N+ courses.

Early '07 I had a girl. At this time my vision was at its worst, me left eye had deteriorated but at a slower rate. Glasses didn't help. Each day was a struggle, I didn't actually think about it, but I noticed it all the time. Even though all the rooms in the house were painted white, and had extra light bulbs on to improve sight.

I was pregnant again, and had a boy in Feb '08. By this time I had only submitted one TMA. Despite sitting down to study on many occasions.

The first four months of having my son I was determined to get my life on track and began researching on the internet to find a treatment for my condition. My sight was so bad my eyes were just a few centimetres away from the computer screen. I eventually found something which was very new to the U.K, therefore not on the nhs.

In August '08 I had my cornea transplant on my right eye. In September and December I had private treatment in London on my left eye with ring implants to push the cornea down, and treatment to halt the condition, to improve vision.

2009 and my right transplant hasn't been successful. I got blood vessels in my eye which went through the cornea, resulting in scarring and blurred vision. My left eye has improved slightly. I also contacted Skillstrain as my three years were up, but to my suprise they gave me another three years, a fresh start, how good is that.

The big 2010. Early Feb I have had another cornea transplant on my right eye. three weeks in and my sight has already improved, early days but looking good. It takes 12-18 months for the cornea to heal and have vision back. My left eye is good enough for me not to feel down. Everything is looking bright and shiny with both eyes.

Since my op I needed four weeks rest, so my husband is off work and full time at home, giving me plenty of time to study. I have the new '09 study materials and am really enjoying them, more of a hand on approach. I have already sent three TMA's in ten days, and getting good marks. My plan is to submit at least two TMA's each week.

I am really grateful and would like to thank Skillstrain for giving me the extension, if it wasn't for them I still wouldn't be on the course. I feel it's the beginning of a success story. After my studies I plan to get a job in IT and make something for myself and for my families future.

Thank you Skillstrain.

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I don't know if this counts as an achievement but the place where I work were throwing out some old PCs. They had been sitting on a pallet out in the yard for a month before I saw them. I took home 4 PCs and a flat panel monitor, the PCs were full of water and the monitor was in a plastic container half covered in water. The pins on the hard drives had been bent to stop further usage.
I stripped everything down and after drying out the equipment and bending the pins back (I lost 1 drive here) I rebuilt the PCs. All are now in working order. OK the best is only a pentium 4 with a 40GB drive but it was fun.

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Hello

When I first enrolled on my course I didn't know much about computers. Also my English wasn't good. There was a time I thought I can't do it, especially after my second operation.

It has been difficult but thanks to my tutor and skills train staff I pass my first exam today with score 875 (passing score 675). So well above the passing score and more importantly it has given me confidence I have never felt before. I am now looking forward to my next training section (Network+). Thank you and good luck to all with their training.

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My office purchased new HP Procurve network switches to use across the network but the 3rd party that was supposed to set them up were having problems getting them to work. I took a look and managed to sort out a complete configuration which is now set as the standard config for all sites across the organization. I have never had any training on HP Procurve equipment but as I am reading up on my CCNA certification, the language used by HP was very similar to Cisco IOS which made it easy to come up with the configuration.

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I have finally passed my Comptia A+ certification 2007 edition after 2 years hard work, I failed both exams once but passed them the 2nd time round, I am so glad that my hard work has paid off, thanks skillstrain. I now have the motivation to push on and get my N+ Certification.

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This week I finally passed my CompTIA N+. When I joined Skillstrain over a year ago I knew very little about IT even which course to take was unknown to me. All I knew was that I wanted a job in IT. I joined the CompTIA A+ course and after 8 months I got a job working for an ISP.

I was struggling to fit in at my new job due to my lack of knowledge and was advised to change my course by my manager to be more networking specific. Skillstrain ensured an easy transmission over to the CompTIA N+ course eventually leading onto the CCNA course.

I now have a firm grip on networking and my job is going very well. I have been advised if I carry on with my studying I will be promoted to 2nd line.

I would like to thank Skillstrain for their assistance and cannot wait to commence my next lot of studying.

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Well, Courtesy of my studies I've landed myself a rather ‘cushtie' job that's somewhat of a step in the right direction. It was just another day in the office until I had reason to contact a former manager of mine who I'd worked for a few years ago.

During a brief catch up I mentioned that I was studying towards CCNA accreditation. Impressed with my self-motivation and determination to improve my lot in life he informed me of a vacancy that he was trying to fill but hadn't found the right candidate. I applied there and then and had an interview the following week. Part of the interview process was a practical exam comprising of hardware, software and networking issues. The hardware and software tasks were relatively simple but without the knowledge gained throughout my studies I would have failed the networking segment of the interview process. As it happens, I passed with flying colours. After a few gruelling days wait, I found I was successful and was offered the job.

I now work as a Geek Squad Agent. The working conditions are a vast improvement on my last job. I work with an awesome team and have been given a fairly substantial pay rise.
Overall this opportunity came as a very welcome surprise and it's affording a far better quality of life with more money and less hours.

Thank you Skills Train.

Regards

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I have completed my CompTIA A+ and N+ coursework and I'm studying my MSCA coursework now. In the meantime I have set up my own business for repairing and maintaining PCs. My business is called Digital Solutions. Skills Train has made it possible for me to realise my ambitions and that there are many more things I can do.

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I have recently passed the CompTIA A+ Bridging exam BR0-003. Plus I have just submitted TMA 7 of my CompTIA N+ 2009 course. I have already pre-booked the CompTIA N+ 2009 N10-004 for the 11th May 2010. After which I have my BTEC level 2 exam in Computer engineering. Followed up by the start of my CCNA course work. Onwards and upwards!

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Completed coursework for CompTIA A+, CompTIA N+ and commenced MSCE/MSCA course and have set up my own business, Digital Solutions, which is an IT consultancy focusing on PC maintenance and repair and also network installations for small businesses and home users. I have used my skills to set up a home network with a Home Server running Windows Home Server and I am starting to build my own website.

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When I started this course, I did not have all lot knowledge of computers. But since I started my course my knowledge and grade has increased. In the beginning I achieved results around 70%- 80% in my assignments. But with hard work and concentration I have achieved 100% in my past 7- 10 assignment. I'm so happy and it has made more motivated. Also I have been working very long hours (50 hours) at work and yet I have achieved 100% in my test. I'm very happy. I hope that my hard work will be shown in my future and I hope my work will be recognised to some extent by you. Thank you.

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Taking into consideration the progress I have made since I started the course work, I must admit that the achievements are beyond my expectations. Despite various difficulties I had to deal with, I managed to develop the knowledge about computers. Due to the fact that, as a single person, I had to work up to fifteen hours a day to save the money for the course, it has been a real challenge to continue learning. Nevertheless, I have considered the course a priority since I believe it will provide me with better job opportunities.
Moreover, I have become even more interested in further IT studying. Before starting the course, I realized I have already had the IT knowledge, which has been considerably improved due to the valuable information I have gained while studying.

Because of satisfactory exam results, I have been determined for further learning. Therefore, I have decided to help my friends in presenting how to operate a PC.

Generally, I could say that starting the course has strengthened the belief in being a qualified PC engineer and increased my self-confidence.

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