Nice One! By landing here it's likely you're thinking about getting re-qualified for a new job - so already you've made a start. Only one in ten of us are satisfied with our careers, but it's rare anyone does more than moan. You could be a member of the few who make a difference in their lives.

We'd recommend that in advance of taking any individual training program, you discuss your plans with a person who has knowledge of the industry and can give you advice. The right person will be able to assess your personal likes and dislikes and help you sort out a role to fit you:

* Do you hope for interaction with others? If so, do you want a team or are you hoping to meet new people? Or would you rather work alone with a task?

* Do you have a preference which sector you maybe could work in? (These days, it's essential to choose carefully.)

* Is this the final time you envisage re-training, and if it is, will this new career allow you to do that?

* Will this new qualification give you the chance to find the work you're looking for, and be gainfully employed until you choose to stop?

The biggest industry in the UK to meet the above criteria is the IT sector. There's a need for more qualified technicians in IT, just check out any job site and there'll be a long list. However, it's not all nerdy people staring at theirscreens the whole time - there are loads more jobs than that. Most of the people in this sector are ordinary people, with well paid and stimulating jobs.

Of course: a training itself or a qualification is not what you're looking for; the career you're training for is. Far too many training organisations place too much importance on the piece of paper. It's a testament to the marketing skills of the big companies, but thousands of new students start out on programs that sound fabulous in the marketing materials, but which provides a job that doesn't satisfy. Just ask several university students for a real eye-opener.

You must also consider your feelings on earning potential, career development, and how ambitious you are. It's vital to know what will be expected of you, which particular accreditations they want you to have and how you'll gain real-world experience. You'd also need help from an advisor who knows the commercial realities of the market you're considering, and who can offer 'A typical day in the life of' type of explanation for each job considered. This really is absolutely essential because you obviously have to know if you're barking up the wrong tree.

Searching for your first position in IT can feel more straightforward if you're offered a Job Placement Assistance program. With the massive need for more IT skills in the United Kingdom at the moment, it's not necessary to place too much emphasis on this feature however. It's actually not as hard as some people make out to find the right work once you're trained and certified.

Update your CV at the beginning of your training though (advice and support for this should come from your course provider). Don't wait until you've graduated or passed any exams. Various junior support jobs have been bagged by trainees who are still studying and haven't got any qualifications yet. This will at the very least get your CV into the 'possible' pile and not the 'no' pile. Normally you'll get quicker results from a specialist locally based employment agency than any training course provider's employment division, as they will be more familiar with the area and local employers.

Many students, apparently, spend evenings and weekends on their training and studies (for years sometimes), only to do nothing special when attempting to secure a good job. Promote yourself... Do your best to let employers know about you. Good jobs don't just knock on your door.

A key training package should also offer accredited exam preparation packages. As the majority of IT examining boards are from the USA, you need to become familiar with their phraseology. You can't practice properly by merely answering any old technical questions - they need to be in the proper exam format. For many reasons, it is really important to be confident that you're absolutely ready for your final certified exam prior to going for it. Going over simulated tests will help to boost your attitude and saves you time and money on failed exams.

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