ICT qualifications

[ann_h]

My bf has been unemployed for 4 years now due to health problems. He has no formal qualifications, and suffers from dyslexia although he can read and write ok just not fast. Most of his employment has been physical, but due to health problems he hasn't been employed for 4 years now.

He is pretty depressed and pee'd off!

Anyway, he understands a lot about pc's- building upgrading software networks etc, (used to program for Amiga 20 years ago!) but he only ever had this as a hobby and didn't realise that most people don't know all this stuff. The jobcentre just take the p.ss

We will probably have to pay for certification, so can anyone tell me which cert is the best to go for, that will be not too simple and that employers like, but will accept someone with no GCE's? There are so many out there.

You may just save a life  :)

[tetherend]

Have you tried Learn Direct?  www.learndirect.co.uk  They may be able to point your bf in the right direction.  It's a good a place as any to start.

[Scarlett]

Go to your local HE College, who will be overjoyed to recommend a suitable course for him. Phone them up and ask for an interview with the head of IT department. They will put him on the right course- it will be free (as he is unemployed) and that will be a great qualification to help him get a good job in computers!

[GucciGal]

HI ann_H, don't let him be put off! I've been in IT for about 15 years now and I don't have any qualifications and I'm female. To get your b/f started in the industry a qualification, from, say learn direct would be useful as a starting point and of course if you knock on enough doors, one will open.

I've always worked for clients like Investment Banks etc and they do love an MCSE cert (Microsoft Certified) but he can work up to that, maybe a hardware cert to begin with (to get him through the door) so he can demonstrate what a PC is and how it works and then who knows maybe something like Networking, IP/TCIP, Communications.   

He may have to start low level like a helpdesk but he'll learn invaluable stuff like just dealing with users and logging calls, then from there he'll be able to move into dekstop support, comms or whatever takes his fancy.

Hope that helps and all the best of luck to you both.  

[GucciGal]

p.s. People will understand that others want a change of career and they will also be sympathetic to his health issue. If they are not, then they are not the company for him!

[GucciGal]

p.p.s We have spell checker on EVERYTHING now, so  spelling is no issue and my god we have some one finger typers in my office so now worries there either ;-)