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To become a proficient web designer with relevant qualifications for today’s job market, you should find training in Adobe Dreamweaver. To facilitate Dreamweaver commercially in web design, a thorough comprehension of the full Adobe Web Creative Suite (including Flash and Action Script) is without doubt a bonus. With these skills, you have the choice to become either an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) or Adobe Certified Professional (ACP).

Building a website is merely a fraction of the skills needed though – in order to drive traffic to the site, maintain its content, and work with dynamic database-driven sites, you’ll need to bolt on more programming skills, for example HTML, PHP and MySQL. In addition, you should develop a practical knowledge of E-Commerce and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).

How the program is actually delivered to you isn’t always given the appropriate level of importance. How many parts is the training broken down into? And in what sequence and how fast does each element come? Usually, you’ll join a programme requiring 1-3 years study and receive one element at a time until graduation. This sounds logical on one level, until you consider this: What would happen if you didn’t finish every module within the time limits imposed? Often the staged order doesn’t work as well as an alternative path could be.

To be honest, the perfect answer is to have a copy of their prescribed order of study, but get everything up-front. Everything is then in your possession in the event you don’t complete everything as fast as they’d like.

Each programme of learning really needs to work up to a nationally accepted certification at the end – definitely not some ‘in-house’ diploma – fit only for filing away and forgetting. The main industry leaders such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco or Adobe have globally approved proficiency programmes. Major-league companies like these will give some sparkle to your CV.

Accredited exam preparation and simulation materials are vital – and absolutely ought to be supplied by your training supplier. Don’t go for training programs relying on unofficial preparation materials for exams. The type of questions asked is often somewhat different – and often this creates real issues when the proper exam time arrives. Ensure that you test your depth of understanding by doing tests and simulated exams to get you ready for the real deal.

Getting into your first IT role can feel more straightforward if you’re supported with a Job Placement Assistance facility. Because of the huge shortage of skills in the UK even when times are hard, there’s no need to become overly impressed with this service however. It’s actually not as hard as some people make out to get the right work once you’re trained and certified.

Work on polishing up your CV right away however – look to your training company for advice on how to do this. Don’t delay till the exams have actually been passed. It’s not unusual to find that you will be offered your initial role while you’re still a student (even in the early stages). If your CV doesn’t say what you’re learning (and it hasn’t been posted on jobsites) then you’re not even going to be known about! The top companies to help get you placed are most often independent and specialised local recruitment services. Because they only get paid when they place you, they’ll work that much harder to get a result.

Please be sure that you don’t invest a great deal of time on your training course, and then do nothing more and leave it in the hands of the gods to find you a job. Get off your backside and start looking for yourself. Invest the same resource into finding the right position as it took to get qualified.

If you’re like many of the students we talk to then you’re a practical sort of person – the ‘hands-on’ individual. If you’re like us, the unfortunate chore of reading reference guides is something you’ll make yourself do if you have to, but it doesn’t suit your way of doing things. Check out video-based multimedia instruction if learning from books is not your thing. Research has always shown that connecting physically with our study, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.

Find a course where you’ll get a host of DVD-ROM’s – you’ll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, and be able to use virtual lab’s to practice your new skills. You’ll definitely want a demonstration of the study materials from the training company. You’ll want to see instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and virtual practice lab’s for your new skills.

Avoid training that is purely online. Ideally, you should opt for CD and DVD ROM courseware where offered, as you need to be able to use them whenever it’s convenient for you – it’s not wise to be held hostage to a good broadband connection all the time.

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