The Learning People’s top entry-level IT certifications

Careers in technology are some of the most rewarding in terms of achievement and growth, but also some of the most challenging.

Jobs in the industry can be flexible, fulfilling and stimulating. Perhaps, most importantly, these jobs are in high demand as companies seek to stay on top of the game against their competitors, and to make their work more reliable and efficient.

For professionals working to a high standard, job security is almost guaranteed, due to the fact that every business across all industries now use technology in their everyday operations.

Although certification isn’t always essential if you’ve had several years of experience in a specific IT field, if you lack this, a universally recognised certification can open the door into your future career.

The Learning People recommended top three entry-level IT training courses are:

1) CompTIA A + (Computing Technology Industry Association)

This training course provides students with the core knowledge required in order to assemble, configure with, and troubleshoot on PC computers.

A student needs to pass two exams, the first one being based on the CompTIA+ Essentials.

The second exam is the Practical Application exam, which measures the necessary competencies for an entry-level IT professional who has hands-on experience in the lab or the field.

Successful candidates will have the skills required to install, configure, upgrade, and maintain PC workstations, the Windows OS and SOHO networks.

2) CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician)

With Cisco certifications always in demand, this course is the entry step into Cisco networking, and the CCNA qualification is usually the following step.

CCENT certification covers everything that is essential for an entry-level technician to know.

This includes the OSI model, DNS basics, NAT, routing, and router configuration.

Only one exam needs to be passed in order to achieve this certification, but re-certification is required to be completed every three years.

3) MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist)

Microsoft training courses provide invaluable expertise and career advancement.

The beauty of the full range of MCTS courses is that even if you lack previous IT training, experience or skills, the option of completing them is still open to you.

There is a large selection of specialist topics that you can partake in, each with one to three exams to take dependent on the course itself.

These range from managing projects in Microsoft Office, Windows configuration, Server administration, SharePoint and more.

If you pass just one exam you gain MCTS status, but once you pass all five you are upgraded to a MCITP – Microsoft Certified IT Professional status.