If you simply wish to get a better understanding of how to use your laptop or computer for simple operations, the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence is the right course for you. It will deal with how to operate the basic components of "Windows" (the system that runs nearly all home PC's.) You'll also cover web-browsers (so you're able to surf the web,) plus email software (so that you can keep in contact with colleagues and friends.) You'll also learn the fundamentals of word processing plus a little about what databases and spreadsheets can be useful for.

A further step is to do some more formal training to improve your Curriculum Vitae or equip you for additional functions in the office. A comprehensive understanding of 'Microsoft Office' is the skill set most people require at this level. The most valuable professional certifications covering 'Office' are Microsoft Office Specialist and Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (recognised respectively as 'MOS' and MCAS). The 'MOS' emphasises the Microsoft Office 2003 environment in 'Windows XP' (which is still probably the most commonly used commercially), whereas the MCAS features Windows 'Vista' & 'Office' 2007, so might be better placed for the future. You will find separate examinations for each that go into Word, Excel, "Powerpoint" & "Access" - for 'word processing', spreadsheets, 'presentations' & databases. Each of them are well-respected certifications & help make things easy for companies to appreciate your in-depth ability with the applications.

If professional I.T. work is your ultimate goal, then you could begin with training in I.T. Support work. To support workers who use computer systems at work, you will need a technical accreditation like the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician. You'd typically need about one hundred hrs of studying for this grade.

Next, we get into the realms of full professional IT certification. A common starting point for hardware support, networking & security jobs would be the 'CompTIA' A+ & Network+ qualifications. Training will include hardware & network installations at a fundamental level, plus aspects of security, support & administration. Most combined 'A+' and 'Network+' training courses will take the person with average skills approximately 200 - 250 hrs to finish, and so can quite feasibly be studied around a full-time job.

Massive developments are about to hit technology over the next generation - and it only gets more exciting every day. We're in the very early stages of beginning to get an inclination of how technology will influence everything we do. Computers and the web will significantly alter how we see and interact with the world as a whole over the coming years.

The average IT man or woman in the UK is likely to receive noticeably more money than employees on a par in other market sectors. Typical salaries are hard to beat nationally. The search for certified IT specialists is certain for many years to come, due to the substantial increase in IT dependency in commerce and the very large deficiency that we still have.

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