SkillsTrain Reviews from Students

I FEEL THAT I HAVE ACHEIVED A LOT OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS SINCE STARTING THE COURSE THAT I`M ON. I WORK LONG HOURS AS A CHEF AND I COME HOME LATE AT NIGHT TO DO AN HOUR OR SO STUDY TIME ,EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD TO RESUBMIT A COUPLE OF MY TMA`S I`M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO REST OF MY COUSRE AND MY FUTURE IN COMPUTERS.

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HI MY NAME IS DAVE AND I`M STUDYING MY A+ N+ AND CCNA. AT THE MINUTE I`M FINISHED MY A+ WHICH I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MY EXAM IN MARCH AND NOW ON TO MY N+ PLUS WITH I AM GETTING A COUPLE OF 100% AND JUST UNDER. I`M VERY HAPPY THAT I AM GETTING THESE RESULTS BECAUSE I AM WORKING 2 JOB TO PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY WHICH IS AT NIGHT AND IN THE DAY SO VERY TYRING BUT PLOD A LONG I ALSO HAVE 2 KIDS MY GIRLS 2 AND SON IS 4 TOMORROW WHICH HE CAN`T I HAD A BIT OF BACK GROUND INFORMATION WHEN I STARTED TO STUDY BUT HAVE LOADS NOW I EVEN HELP MY FRIENDS TO FIX THERE COMPUTERS ALL THE TIME WHICH MAKES ME HAPPY. I HAVE A LOT OF FAMILY PROBLEMS GOING ON AT THE MOMENT AND ALSO MY CAR HAS BROKE DOWN 3 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS SO VERY STRESSFUL TIME AT THE MOMENT BUT HOPEFULLY I WILL GET SOME GOOD NEWS FROM MY A+ EXAM. FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO HAVE DEAD END JOB I RECOMMENED IF YOU HAVE A SPARE 15 HOURS A WEEK GIVE THIS COURSE A SHOT.

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I hav completed my assignment in couple of days, its very hard for me to find time but I still make efforts because I am doing a very busy job but I never compromise on my motivation to become skilled and more knowledgeable in computer science.

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I have been studying very hard over the past few months as one day it just became clear to me that I had to progress further and achieve something. As you can see from my N+ TMA scores I have not had to resubmit any of the assignments. I have done all this whilst doing DIY in 3 bedrooms, the garden and my garage. I also have 3 kids and a job that requires me to work a 12 hour shift twice a week. It has been hard but I now feel as though I am getting there and the dream of becoming a CCNP is getting closer every week.. Thank you.

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I have a firm belief in myself and I know that I can make my carrer in computers even though I work 9hrs a day still I make it a point to study atleast 2hrs day and I have recently started my cource and planning to make my brighter future in the field of computers

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As a student of A+ (PC hardware and Maintenance) I have studied throughout and finished most of the assignments with nearly 100% marks. Even though I haven't taken the exams, I am still able to get a job as a CSO (Computer Support Officer). Where I solve problems on the computers and help out processing staff on IT applications. This is like dream come true. This would have been impossible without doing the course with the collage. Now I can imagine, passing the exams will boost my chance to gain a decent job in IT field. I intended to pass my exam by end of February but I had to rearrange it for some personal reason. Hopefully I will pass exams with good marks within next couple of months.

I know a few people, who have done this course with different organisations; they are still finding it difficult to understand the important part of the course. Also they had fewer assignments then what I have completed with the college. When I checked with them and their material, I found that they weren't given the course material with the necessary details. The lack of the information is costing them in terms of the knowledge they obtained for the A+ part.

All the admin staffs and tutors are always helpful to me. I have noticed on many occasions that the tutors are always willing to go the extra mile to help me out on any problem with my study and in any practical work I carry out on my home pc, even though some time my work is not completely related to the course.

I must say that by joining the “Skills Train” I have taken a big step forward for a bright future.

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In a short time of starting this course I have achieved something I never dreamt about good results in my assignments. Being a one parent family I have to put the effort I have into this to achieve the best for my family and to do this and look after my family on my own is an achievement on its own. My family are proud and they are right behind me in everything I do. They wish me luck.

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Re-building my PC after a catastrophic failure.

At first, I thought it was just another day at the office, but after all was said and done, and I closed the front door, glad to be home, I wondered

There was a distinct smell of “Burning”, you know that electrical arcing smell, I went on the hunt, determined to find the source. It didn't take long, to find the source, my P.C. screen was blank, and the hard drive seek light was flashing like a strobe. I found it strange that the DVD Rom light was also flashing at an alarming rate, and as I neared the offending article, I could hear rapid “Clicking”.

O.K. don't panic, keep calm and approach it logically. First switch the machine off, and then see what's going on. When I switched on the screen, there was nothing, so I tried a forced shutdown, strange, nothing there either, no response. O.K. main power switch to off, everything went quiet. Well let's see if those hours of studying have taught you anything!

I cleared a working space, armed myself with an anti-static band, three screwdrivers, pliers, (long nosed of course), a notebook, pen, multi meter, and torch. Disconnecting the machine from the mains, I started to disassemble the side casing, and then attached my earth strap. I carried out a visual inspection of the motherboard, and although I couldn't see any obvious signs of burning, I did notice that one of the chips seemed to be a funny shape, with the top of it being curved, or bubbled. I worked methodically through the Power supply, checking voltages +5v only reading +2.1v, +3V reading +1.1v. So the power supply and the motherboard were both showing signs of damage/failure. I did some internet research, only to find that a common problem with my particular brand and model of P.C. were prone to a triple failure of the PSU, motherboard, and Processor.

I made notes as I went through, and after some research, decided that as my machine was almost 3 years old, I could replace the Motherboard, Processor, and PSU with a current model/standard, almost as cheaply as I could replace them with the old standard. I decided that as I use the machine for 3D CAD applications, a 64 bit processor, or dual core processor would be a minimum standard to apply. A trip to the local Maplin store produced an almost unbeatable offer on an AMD 64 bit motherboard and processor bundle, and the PSU was also on special offer. A few checks to ensure that memory etc was compatible, and I was soon parted from my hard earned cash.

Armed with new found confidence, a new motherboard etc, I set about the re-build. Having just completed the section on building your own, or upgrading your PC, I was confident, although apprehensive. I stripped the old unit down, and carefully checking and marking the cables to the motherboard, I was soon in a position to remove the old Board. I checked the spacers, and ensured that they lined up properly, ensured that the fan was cleaned, I started the re-build. I was able to fit the new board by sliding the DVD drive forward, but without removing it completely, and replacing the PSU first was good, with plenty of room for manoeuvre. All in all it took me just over 2 hours start to finish, for the actual re-build, but I had spend hours planning and preparing. The whole experience was slightly scary, and at times a little unnerving, but really fulfilling, and has given my confidence a great boost. I know that I wouldn't have had the guts to do this 5 months ago, but now I know I could quite happily tackle it again.

Thanks for giving me the skills I needed.

Bill Ross

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Ive been studying the course for a month and a half now and im acheiving around 80% in each assignment, which is a real supprise to me. what I have learnt so far has helped me to sort out problems with my home pc and friends with regards to motherboard faliures. Being able to diagnose a problem, a replace the required hardware and configure it to run again.

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To start with I really did not have any good formal qualifications, and often felt like I was not good enough for any good jobs, restricting myself to warehousing job which were not permanent.
I left college to move to leicester having family problems, I found myself really confused about what to do with my life, I couldn't go to college as I was working night shifts five nights a week.
I have found skillstrain course on a newspaper advert, applied online within a week they phoned my up arranged an interview and got enrolled on comptia A+/N+/ccNA.
I must say that enrolling on the course was one of the best thing that ever happened to me or could ever happen to me.I could study at my own pace,which meant I could study whenever I had the time, and it was stress free
because of the skillstrain course I knew I couldn't go wrong as I could see the reward coming out of this.
thank goodness for skillstrain team, getting words of encouragement from the tutors everything I have sumited TMA gave me the confidence and made me work hard.
Because of that and my determination I got 100% TMA score this month alone, and my TMA score averge 93%.

I would recomend anyone to enroll on any of the the skillstrain courses, with a little bit of hard work & the expert help of the tutors.. trust me you can't go wrong

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Managed to read the booklets at least once a week.I can now construct a computer on my own by buying parts from shops, I installed the operating system, upgraded the system BIOS and can now understand how to check for faults in a computer.

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I must confess I was not very hopeful in the beginning of the course as there are so many out there offering courses but not producing quality or results.
A few months on and boy was I wrong, my computer knowledge has gone from an unknowing person to someone who can talk with pc tech helplines over the phone. This happend recently with a network problem I had, I spoke to 3 different people and none could help me, thanks to this course though I managed to check a few things and presto, I sorted it myself.
All I can say is, it May seem that skills train are offering you the same as the other companies but I can asure you that what they offer is real. I have already learned so much.

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I THINK I HAVE REALLY ACHIEVED A GOOD RESULT AS I AM WORKING UNDER PRESSURE AND STILL GETTING GOOD RESULT WITH THE COURSE WORK.I DON'T HAVE TIME TO STUDY AT HOME AT ALL,I DO STUDY IN A BUS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND ALSO SOMETIMES MY BREAK TIMES.FOR ME IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY AT ALL AS YOU CAN IMAGINED THE DISTURBANCES AROUND ESPECIALLY IN A BUS.

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Knowing only the basics of computers, I feel that I have surpased my own expectations in obtaining the knowledge that I can suceed in obtaing a great career in i.t .

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I have change jobs since I started my course work, and the shift patterns are different. I do a early shift, a mid shift, a late shift and that why I can't visit Student World as regular as I would like. And also on my day's off I'm decorating the inlaws full house, whislt doing all this I'm still studying my course work and I'm still achieving a high pass rate in my TMA's . Just last week I built three computers for the local Salvation Army hall which runs a club every Wednesday for kids, ages from 5yrs to 13yrs.

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As a student of A+ (PC hardware and Maintenance) I have studied throughout and finished most of the assignments with nearly 100% marks. Even though I haven't taken the exams, I am still able to get a job as a CSO (Computer Support Officer). Where I solve problems on the computers and help out processing staff on IT applications. This is like dream come true. This would have been impossible without doing the course with the college. Now I can imagine, passing the exams will boost my chance to gain a decent job in IT field. I intended to pass my exam by end of February but I had to rearrange it for some personal reason. Hopefully I will pass exams with good marks within next couple of months.

I know a few people, who have done this course with different organisations; they are still finding it difficult to understand the important part of the course. Also they had fewer assignments then what I have completed with the collage. When I checked with them and their material, I found that they weren't given the course material with the necessary details. The lack of the information is costing them in terms of the knowledge they obtained for the A+ part.

All the admin staffs and tutors are always helpful to me. I have noticed on many occasions that the tutors are always willing to go the extra mile to help me out on any problem with my study and in any practical work I carry out on my home pc, even though some time my work is not completely related to the course.

I must say that by joining the “Skills Train” I have taken a big step forward for a bright future.

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Completed a £7 million project to network all Care Managers (Health Service) in Finland using a central Oracle database based in Reading. The project took 1 year to design, build and implement and the work load was shared equalled between 3 of us at WebReach Ltd. My main responsibilities included Network Infra-structure design and implementation. The system means that care managers in Finland will be able to monitor their patients progress (bad or good) on various projects like CVD or Diabetes. This information will then be used by the Finish Government to create a better health care system for patients with serious and usually terminal conditions.

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Since I started this course I have learn a lot about basics of PC and its intresting to learn. As I am working full time its very difficult for me to study but anyway I am trying to do my best to achieve my objective.

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STILL WORKING AS A SCHOOL CARETAKER I WAS ABLE TO SOLVE A NETWORK PROBLEM IN MY DEPARTMENT WHEN THE IT MANAGER WAS JUST ON HIS LONG LUNCH BRAKE. I WAS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO PERFORM THE TASK OF SETTING UP A NEW NETWORKED PC IN EMERGENCY BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS SEE ME READING A COMPUTER BOOK AND BELEIVE I CAN PERFORM THE TASK. (THE HEAD OT THE IT DEPRTMENT LOGGED ME IN TO THE SERVER), AND THE I ADDED THE NEW PC THAT WAS NEED IN OUR DEPARTMENT TO THE SCHOOL NETWORK. I AM SO HAPPY I DID THAT.

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I have already sent my achivements, but I would like to add some information. All of my sent TMAs of N+ Part A (TMA01-08 at the moment) have been marked 100%, individually! I am very happy with that, shows the result of my hard study, gives me more strenght to carry on and keeps me positive.

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Having bounced back from a turbulant previous 7-8 mths due to fasle accusations aimed at Skillstrain ..I am back in full flight of continuing my course... having just received my latest assigment mark for CCNA of 95%

I am currently at the Live Lab stages were I find it of great advantage in a learning environment...I also use Boson software to give me full advantage of familiarising myself before I was at the Lab stages...Taking full advantage of these tools has helped me sail through the current Lab Assignments.

All my previous course work which included N+ has been updates and the contents digested giving me a full understanding of current modern changes added since I first joined and completed all the N+ assignments.

Having progressed to the CCNA stages with the latest materials on hand and Live Labs experience , all I can say is "Stick to it"

It all becomes clear the deeper you progress in to the course

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Following a successful CCNA course I sat the exam – and unfortunately failed by two questions. I then throughout January did intensive study on the subjects I was weaker in, and then re-took the Exam, and passed. On the back of this I have new responsibilities in my Job, now looking after the Cisco Network and Voice over IP VOIP - telephone system. The course was a long road to travel – with some challenging assessments and chapters – but the end result has been worth it.

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