Recognised Computer Courses

Random

Right, so I'm looking to find some recognised computer courses in Dublin.

Colleges etc all do various things, but more often then not there's a certain amount of garbage in there too as they try to be a bit broad...

I'm looking for programming courses, PC maintance/technician courses etc that could lead to some half-decent jobs and recognised qualifications.

Anyone got any ideas of where to start looking?


Cheers

Pinhead

I seen a few of these linked from Linux.ie. Hope they're of some help.

Griffin Software Courses, Tallagh.
B.I.C. Systems, Dublin 2.
SureSkills, Dublin 2.

B.I.C. Systems offer some excellent Microsoft certifications, if you want to swing that way.

dubdvd

im looking for the same thing at the moment ...and from what im being told that if your starting from the bottom to try the A+ and the NETWORK + just to give you a start ...and then on to something like the MCSE and MCSA as far as i know this will get you a foot in the door ... heres the snag with me i cant do the couses as i work in a hospital and i work short days long days and nights so self learning is what ive been trying without to much success ...heres a place i was told about but its not cheap much like most of the IT couses out there anyhow best of luck and happy hunting
http://www.iactonline.com/iact/certs/index.asp

and heres is a directory of IT places doing courses

http://www.browseireland.com/IT___Computers/Training_and_Tutorials/more2.shtml

god isn't GOOGLE great

Pinhead

The Cisco series of course are always a good place to start if you're interested in networking.

Random

I'm gonna take a look through those links. Cheers lads. Anything else, feel free to add it...


I'm looking through various courses including Networking, Programming and Computer Maintenance...

Random

I'm having a look at

Data Networking (Cisco) - Year 1
http://www.killestercollege.ie/index.asp?locID=35&docID=-1

and then onto
DataNetworking (Cisco) - Year 2
http://www.killestercollege.ie/index.asp?locID=86&docID=-1


It seems almost like what I'm looking for. Does anyone have any experience with Killester College?
Will the qualification (CCNA) actually mean anything when I finish the second year? Where am I left? Will I be in a position to get a half-decent paying job in the workforce?

It's got 4 major components from what I can see.... Networking, Programmings, Web Design, Computer Maintenance. All of which I'm well interested in.

Is this course a good use of 2 years? Or is it too little over too long a period of time?

Is it generally (I'm 20 myself) younger people who do these courses or will I be in with a load of "oldies"? (yeh, it's a concern. .. you wanna be in with a group of people you can relate to, and obviously a few 30+ people isn't going to be much fun... I'm sorry to say)


Appreciate the feedback..

Pinhead

First of all, don't worry about "the oldies". You'd be surprized how many young folk take up CCNA. I'm currently studying part two of CCNA (as part of my B.Sc) and I'm only 19. Whether your classmates are 30 or 50, they're there for one reason- the same reason you are, so you'll have that much in common. Don't worry about it.

CCNA is an excellent course. It covers a wide variety of networking topics, everything from the basics to WAN routing. It comprises of four parts followed by a final exam. From what I can interpret from those links you gave me, you'd be studying parts 1 & 2 in the first year and 3 & 4 in the second. I'd highly recommend completing both years as you're not a fully qualified CCNA with just parts one and two.

What's left for you after the two years? For one, you'll have a very decent networking cert. You'll also have a FETAC cert in an area, I admitt, I'm not very familiar in. Programming wise, you'll have only dabled with C++ and Java. As for Web Design.. well, it says Web authoring, not Web Design.

You're unlikely to walk into a 70K+ job by doing that course. Let's be frank. For one, you won't have a degree or dip, which most compu-employers have a hard-on for. You'll have a Cisco qualification, a FETAC cert and a couple of other industry standard qualfications. That'll get you a job, but I couldn't possibly pin-point what.

It's a very good choice for under 300 yoyo and two years of your life. I'd still suggest a two year college course instead, but that's me.

Random

Thanks for the comments... I'm foolish then to drop out of a Computer Engineering degree course and follow this route?

I can't seem to find similiar college courses anywhere .... any ideas ? any spring to mind ?

WizZard

Don't drop out of college to do one of those courses. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!
Do one of them by self-study part time. It's well worth it as it shows initiative etc which employers look for in graduates. Not to mention that you'll be better qualified than most of your course-mates.

Pinhead

Wizzard is right. There are dozens of evening courses you could do along with your CE degree. Don't even consider dropping out! Most of the evening courses consist of a 3-4 hour lecture per week, and a 5-7 hour lecture/practical one day (usually a Saturday) of every month.