SkillsTrain Reviews from Students

I have always been interested in a career in IT but after receiving a U in my GSCE's I lost confidence and thought I wouldn't ever have the opportunity to follow my ambitions in doing this type of work. Since doing this course it has taught me not to give up and that there are always opportunities available for everyone as long as you believe in yourself there is no limit as to what you can achieve. Friends and Family have already called me a' computer superhero' for fixing their computers!

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First of all I think it is hard to talk and to write about myself but the big change that happened in my life by starting this course encouraged me to do so. I came to live in the UK 3 years ago, my English still needs improving, but I work very hard to learn English and to look after my family and study my course material.
In my country I was working as an adviser to the minister of planning, I have a university degree,and more than ten courses in different subjects in IT, statistics ,public relations ,languages ,SPSS, GIS , and how to use the Remote Sensing to detect and solve problems in our land and undersea also to learn more about our atmosphere to reduce the pollution .
In this course I really developed my knowledge and learned how to fix computer problems and the most exiting moment when I finish the clean installation and the computer runs fast and now error messages appear.
Thank you

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I've only just started my computer training last month, you see I did not have much hope this time last year, but thanks to Skills Train I now have.
This time last year I was in jail for stealing Petrol and Diesel from fuel station's around the London area, this however was to support my lethal Heroin addiction. I did not wish to do this and I wished nobody any harm and nobody was, apart from myself, but I had got myself into a situation which I could not get out of without real help.

From the year 2000, I had no real help and proceeded to three terms of jail, but on the third case it was different because the CID officers who dealt with me understood and got me the help I needed and I got moved to Walthamstow. So far I have cracked my habit with the help of Subutex and the service W.D.P and have no intentions of going back to that awful life style as it is none existence for any one.

So, with my habit broken, my common law wife has also bettered herself and is now going to be a Drug KeyWorker. I've got the chance I've always wanted, a career in IT.

Many Thanks to Essex CID, WDP, and of course SkillsTrain.
My A+ is nearly completed.

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When starting the course I was a little apprehensive, and thought that some of the work would be bit over my head. I did have a couple of hiccups but that did not deter me, in fact it made my approach much more determined. I think looking back at my results this proves with a lot of hard work you can acheive your goals.

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I have restarted my course and received 100% on the first TMA I am very chuffed as the course work seems completely different I did get quite far the first time around and managed to use my coursework to run a local business from home in which I do general /basic repairs mainly for experience in which all customers are notified I also somehow manage to work full time in a sales office in which I am asked for help if there is a general pc problem. I even have my own business card. About 3-4 month after starting my course I bought some old computers from a warehouse that was closing down for £1 a whole pound, I used my coursework and what I had learnt to fix and/or rebuild them and sold some of them in the paper for £50 I would like to thank all the tutors for their patience and help.

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Well, it's been quite a roller-coaster over the last couple of months! I've been working as an agency worker at our local Police administration department for just over a year now, after the company I was at previously lost the contract I was a part of. Going to the Police was necessity as much as anything, it was the first decent job I could find, although I had entertained the idea of working for them in the past. Anyway, several months of basic admin duties followed, and although it was worthwhile work, I knew I was capable of more. So towards the end of last year I signed up with SkillsTrain to brighten up my prospects.

My studying progressed well, with my TMA grades remaining consistently high, and I felt like I was finally getting my life aimed in some sort of positive direction, though I was lacking a definite idea of what to do exactly. Then, not long after Christmas, a vacancy appeared on the Police Intranet for a position in another department at our Admin office. I'd already gone for one in the past and failed, but I decided to try again, as it would be better wages, more interesting and responsible work, and possibly most importantly, a proper, stable contract. I took my time and filled the application form out as fully as possible, and I was rewarded several weeks later with a letter saying I had got past the initial paper shift and was being put forward for the interview. This in itself was a big success as it was further than I'd managed to get before, and several people had told me that getting noticed in the dozens of applications they always received was possibly the hardest part of getting a job there. So I was feeling pretty good about it all. Throughout this time I was still consistently getting good TMA results, so my balance of work and studying was working well. As the interview date approached I decided to seek some advice from my colleagues. I was already on good terms with the department I was aiming for, and they passed on what they could regarding the job, so I had a better understanding of how it all worked, a basis to frame my answers in at the interview. I was aware that the questions would revolve around the key skills required for the job, so I spent several nights in between studying, rehearsing what answers I'd give for any given question they asked, until I had coherent, detailed responses ready to go with no hesitation. And the big day arrived...

The interview was first thing, so I didn't have time to worry, which was helpful. My preparation paid dividends as I was able to give direct, logical answers to most of their questions, with only a minor blip here and there, which virtually everyone gets I think. I came out feeling I'd done pretty well, though not pinning any hopes on it. This was a Friday, and I was due to hear the result on Monday or Tuesday of the following week. To cut a long story short... I got it!

I found out afterwards that there had been six people up for interview, the most who had ever made it through the paper shift, so I was perhaps even luckier than normal to have succeeded. They said that my planning was evident, from the detail in my answers to the confidence I delivered them with (confidence I felt less than I projected I think!).

Since then I've moved to the new department, and am currently learning the new job. Upon finding out that I'm doing this course, my new Team Leader promised to use me for any technical queries they May have, which I was only too happy to agree to, as real-world experience is always useful. I also recently tackled the Revision TMA 19a, and managed to get a full 100%, so throughout the pressure of applying for, getting and learning a new job, I've also managed to keep my education on track too.

Possibly the best result is that I now have a firm plan for my future though. I intend to work hard in my new job until I pass my final SkillsTrain exams, learning the various IT systems as a user and offering support where I can. Once I have my qualifications, I intend to apply for a Support Engineer position within the force. I feel my experience as a user of their specific systems, combined with the solid education I'll gain in the meantime, will make me a perfect choice for such a role. It May take hard work, but I've proven I can deliver that, and though the plan May change, it's more than I've had before, so that in itself is a massive bonus.
Onward and upward!

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Nearly through the first part of the course against the odds. Being a single dad on benefits means I don't have a lot of time or money and I pay my course fees from my income support. Also I have to use computers in the library as I don't have one of my own, but that is a good environment to work in anyway. I am hoping to pass the A+ this year, start a job in Jan 2008 and continue to study up to CCNA. My kids deserve the best I can give them.

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I am working full time as a coach tour driver while studying for my A+ N+ and Cisco, When I go away I take my course material with me to study I have just completed TMA26 of A+it is not easy doing a full time job as well as training, but like many others are doing the same. Keep up the good work and dont give up.

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On Friday the 22 June I went down to Cambridge to sit the exams that make up the A+ qualification. As I have been studying the 2003 version I have had to rush through the course material and found that I had left just two weeks to book an exam before they were dis-continued.
Having revised as much of the material as I could in a week, I used the online practice exams as a benchmark to see how prepared I was for the exam and I have to say, I was not that confident as my practice scores were not always good enough.
After having sat both exams that day, I was happy to find that I have passed both. The thing that most worried me was that the two appointments I had booked for the exams were the last two sittings of those exams ever! So if I had have failed, I do not know what I would have done.
I'm now starting the N+ course and I'm actually looking forward to the next exam with a lot more confidence.

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I honestly believe that No-ONE in this Country studied harder & longer that I did over the last few weeks especially last Wednesday & Thursday. With more distractions than you could possibly imagine ie: Wife in Hospital in HoChiMonh City ( Vietnam ) after a motorbike accident, major stress at work. On the day before the Exam I managed to take 6 "mock" exams ( including one from Comptia), and I Failed every one. I was extremely upset having resigned myself to failing the next days exam, and was angry at myself for taking on too much of a challenge at my age.
I decided to concentrate on the area of my study that I was poorest at = the masses of tabulated data ie: cpu speeds & speeds of Busses .
I took 3 days off of work & studied from 6.0 am to 10.0pm 16 hours solid study.
I learned as much as I could, drove to Altringham which is 36 miles away, played Linkin Park Loudly on the car stereo - and took my exams one after another.
I was shaking as I pressed the final key to reveal = PASS .
I managed to Pass both exams. No one was more shocked than I was. Thanks to all you tutors because when I telephoned you in my panic you, along with my Family believed that I could do it - where as I didn't .
So thank you .

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This month I have completed the A+ part of my course. Sitting the old 2003 exams I managed pass marks of 70% and 80% in the two exams that I sat on the same day. This is even with differences in the exam to the course work as I was working from the latest course materials. With not only the pressures at work and home increasing I feel that this was a very good achievement and am proud of what I managed.

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I have been doing really well on my tma's so far due to hard work and encouragement from the student tutor team. I shall continue the effort and time dedicated to my course to progress further around my current schedule.
Many thanks.

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WELL WHAT CAN I SAY! I AM LOVING EVERY MOMENT OF THIS COURSE WITH YOU!!! I HAVE NEVER LOVED STUDYING SO MUCH IN ALL MY LIFE AND I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THIS IS WHAT IS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE TO MY RESULTS. I WORK AS WELL BY THE WAY SO I AM QUITE TIRED WHEN I GET HOME BUT I STILL LOOK FORWARD TO MY STUDIES.

I HAVE BEEN MANAGING MOSTLY 100% ON THE SUBJECTS EXCEPT FOR THE ODD 90% WHICH ONLY PROMPTS ME TO TRY HARDER THE NEXT TIME.

I ALSO THINK YOU HAVE DESIGNED YOU COURSE IN COMPTIA A+ EXTREMELY EFFICIENTLY AS YOU LEAD YOUR STUDENTS INTO IT REALLY WELL. WHICH GIVES ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DO WELL EVERY CHANCE TO DO SO.

MY TUTOR ALSO IS REALLY ON THE BALL DONT REALLY HEAR ALOT FROM HIM BUT WHEN I NEED HIM HE IS THERE WITHOUT HESITATION HE HAS BEEN MY GUIDE SO FAR. A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO HIM.

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As I am working in a hotel as Concierge, you can all figure how busy this can be in the hotel business during summer seasons. This June is no exception.
You might be surprised if I tell you that I am a football referee too. And I had a fitness test with The FA on 19th June which I have passed with success. I trained up to 5 times a week to achieve that. The fitness test itself was of two parts: Firstly, you must run continuously for 12 minutes and complete a minimum distance of 2500 meters within that time. After 15-minute break, you will then be required to complete two 50 mete sprints, each in under 7.5 seconds. You can imagine that is not as easy as it looks. However for 12 minutes I managed to run the distance of 2950 meters which was the 3rd best result of the day for 70 people. I shall say that wasn't that bad.

Despite everything I didn't stop my course and I have managed to submit four assessment so far. My target is to do 6 in total until the end of June. It won't be easy and I am not asking it to be. I am taking my course seriously. I know that in couple of months I will be prepared to take the first exam and get the A+ Certificate. This will open me the doors to a new dream career.

I wish everyone good luck and believe in yourself.

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Firstly, I would like to thank the tutor team for a fantastic job they are doing. I really cannot believe those who criticise Skills Train because I have been studying with you since 2004 and I am very satisfied with everything especially the response by a tutor team if you are facing hardships with certain things with regards to your course work.

In the past months I have had difficulties in doing any work as I lost my Grandad and my mum was battling with heart problems. I found concentration and studying very difficult and even focusing on anything was a daunting task. I spoke to a tutor team and they encouraged me very well to get on with my work as well as helping me to access my LIVE Labs and Live Internet training.

So for the month of March I had to get my concentration and focus on line and tried to do my course work the best I could. I was amazed by the efficiency of the tutor team with regards to marking and sending TMAs.I managed to send four TMAs in one Month which was something I did not manage before and my average score for March was a massive 96% which made me feel proud of myself and to be a student of SkillsTrain and value for money. Things look very positive for me because I have managed to plan my work better than before because of the encouraging speedy response by your Team and I hope things stay the same.

from a very satisfied student...

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To keep it brief, I lost interest in the course when I found out I need to change to the 2006 course objectives because I would finish in time to sit the exams, but when a pc broke at work and I was ask to look into it, I realised it was a faulty PSU, so with the aid of a local computer supplier I found a replacement PSU, swapped them over and hey-presto the pc was working again, since then I have rekindled my passion for computers and have stopped studying since.

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April has been a difficult month for me time wise, what with working and running the football team and also playing. Having mid week games thrown in due to the rubbish weather we had this season and still having games on Saturdays. I have also had to do the end of season accounts plus organise two 6 aside tournaments and get the money from people for them and find time to organise the end of season do. That has all made this month a bit hectic but add in the girlfriend moving up from Devon with no job and over 300 books into my flat, its gone manic.

I have found I've had less and less free time to do anything let alone study this month. But with one TMA done and hopefully another before the end of the month its all good. I did say HOPEFULLY

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Had very little PC knowledge when started the course could operate software but with basic knowledge. Work long nights driving HGV so study time is hard to come by but I try to fit in as much as possible through my breaks during night day's off etc, I'm doing better than I thought I would, note taking is getting easier better with practice hopefully continue with good marks.

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I have finished part A of my course on the essentials of Comptia A+. I feel I already have a strong knowledge of the insides and outs of a PC, when just over a month ago my knowledge was at best, basic. I have experimented by taking apart my dads old computer and feel I can pinpoint mostly everything that I`ve learned. This as been down to hard work and commitment because I work long shifts 6 days a week starting at 6 in the morning and although it would be easier to go straight to bed when I`ve got back, I`ve made sure that I`ve studied a module everyday and understood it and as a result I have begun to enjoy it more. Thank you.

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As I am working in a hotel as Concierge, you can all figure how busy this can be in the hotel business during summer seasons. This June is no exception.
You might be surprised if I tell you that I am a football referee too. And I had a fitness test with The FA on 19th June which I have passed with success. I trained up to 5 times a week to achieve that. The fitness test itself was of two parts: Firstly, you must run continuously for 12 minutes and complete a minimum distance of 2500 meters within that time. After 15-minute break, you will then be required to complete two 50 mete sprints, each in under 7.5 seconds. You can imagine that is not as easy as it looks. However for 12 minutes I managed to run the distance of 2950 meters which was the 3rd best result of the day for 70 people. I shall say that wasn't that bad.

Despite everything I didn't stop my course and I have managed to submit four assessment so far. My target is to do 6 in total until the end of June. It won't be easy and I am not asking it to be. I am taking my course seriously. I know that in couple of months I will be prepared to take the first exam and get the A+ Certificate. This will open me the doors to a new dream career.

I wish everyone good luck and believe in yourself.

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I am not trying to say that I am the only one that has gained from the college; all I am trying to say is that, " I have immensely gained from being a student of the college". I don't know of other people, but I guess I might be speaking for other students as well. First,I got my first major skilled IT job. Next, I was shifted to another department (SQL)-though I don't know much about it. But just for the fact that I already have A+ and N+-all completed from skill train college and studying CCNA in my company cv, I was chosen out of 5 staff to move to the new department.

Four days ago, my manager convinced me to apply for a new vacancy in a new department and new branch within the company. The money associated with the new post is 3 times bigger than what I am currently receiving. Quoting my manager, "You are a talented young man who has the right skills and the right qualifications. That position will suit you".
In two weeks time, one of my work mates will be registering with the college because they have found out my secret(skill train college).
I have made up my mind that once I finish my IT degree from university this year and equally finish the CCNP programme, I will enrol for further courses with the college. If the college could provide me with the training that helped me get to this level now, then, I want more(sorry that I sound greedy-but I want more training from the college).

"SKILL TRAIN COLLEGE"- tell me a better IT college other than SKILL TRAIN COLLEGE?

SKILL TRAIN COLLEGE,-You are the first in IT-KEEP IT UP

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They always say word of mouth is the best advertisement and it is true . My mother in law mucked up her internet connection not knowing what she was doing she deleted all the files needed to connect to the net. My wife very kindly offered my assistance to repair her pc. Ever since then I have now had several of her friends now contact me to either repair or up grade their computers. I even get my family ringing saying " HELP I have done this and the PC have done this and I can't return to what I was doing".

Until this time I had put the course to the side for a while due to our first child coming along. and taking all my time. I must admit it is so easy to stray away and get interested in something else but I have got myself back on to doing the course with the help of my wife. I have boosted me TMA scores up with two of my latest results being 100% . I have even upgraded my own PC by putting another stock of RAM in as well as getting a bigger graphics card and fitting it.
At work I have been successive. They brought in a new computer system to help us to complete our work faster and easier. Every department has had some one selected as a system champion ( Someone who knows the system and can sort out any problems ). Due to this course I have been chosen to do this task for my area.

To anyone who is slowly loosing interest in doing their course. My advice is keep plodding on, set yourself a goal and try setting up a study time table. I lost at least nine months and fell well behind. I am now regretting it and am now trying as hard as I can to catch up.

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