Nice One! As you're looking at this we guess you must be considering re-training to work in a different industry - that means you've already taken one more step than the majority. Very few of us are satisfied with our careers, but no action is ever taken. Why not be one of a small number who take responsibility for their future.

It's advisable to get some help before you start - talk to a knowledgeable person; someone who'll give you career advice based on what works best for you, and work out what courses which are appropriate for you:

* Do you want to interact with other people? If the answer's yes, would you enjoy being part of a team or is meeting new people important to you? Alternatively, do you like to deal with your responsibilities alone?

* What thoughts are fundamentally important with regard to the sector of industry you'll be employed in?

* Would you like this to be the only time you will need more qualifications?

* Will this new qualification allow you to find new work easily, and remain in employment until your retirement plans kick in?

Look at the IT industry, that's our recommendation - it's one of the few market sectors still on the grow throughout Europe. Another benefit is that remuneration packages are much better than most.

Looking at the myriad of choice out there, does it really shock us that a large percentage of trainees don't really understand the best career path they should even pursue. What is our likelihood of grasping the tasks faced daily in an IT career when we've never done it? Most likely we haven't met someone who works in that sector anyway. To come through this, there should be a discussion of several definitive areas:

* Your individual personality as well as your interests - which work-related things you love or hate.

* Are you driven to obtain training because of a certain reason - for instance, do you aim to work based from home (being your own boss?)?

* Is salary further up on your priority-list than other requirements.

* With many, many different sectors to gain certifications for in computing - you'll need to gain some key facts on what makes them different.

* Taking a proper look at how much time and effort that you're going to put into it.

For the average person, considering so much data tends to require the help of someone who knows what they're talking about. And not just the accreditations - but the commercial requirements of industry too.

A subtle way that course providers make more money is by charging for exams up-front and then including an 'Exam Guarantee'. This looks like a great idea for the student, until you think it through:

Patently it isn't free - you're still paying for it - it's just been included in your package price. If you want to qualify first 'go', then the most successful route is to fund each exam as you take it, focus on it intently and apply yourself as required.

Why pay the training course provider in advance for exam fees? Go for the best offer when you're ready, rather than pay marked up fees - and do it locally - not at somewhere of their bidding. Including money in your training package for exam fees (and if you're financing your study there'll be interest on that) is madness. Why fill a company's coffers with additional funds only to please their Bank Manager! There are those who hope that you won't get round to taking them - then they'll keep the extra money. Most companies will insist on pre-tests and hold you back from re-takes until you have proved to them you have a good chance of passing - which actually leaves you with no guarantee at all.

Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on 'Exam Guarantees' is remiss - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is what will really guarantee success.

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