ECDL...

Has anyone done this computer course?
I want to get into computer programming or web design etc
Ive heard this course is good if you want to progress onto working with computers,
Does anyone know a good course to start on?
Whats the best course to do for getting a job working on computers?
Would even consider doing uni but no real qualifications(1 GCSE) and would have to be night class!
Or any info at all about the subject would help
 
ps. im currently a lorry driver and bored dont want to be doing it in 10 years time, pay is average and theres no real promotion prospects.
 
Im 25 years old
 
any help at all would be greatly appreciated

"How dare these boxers challenge me with their primitive skills? It makes me angry. They're just as good as dead."

ecdl would be a good starting point. It's a basic computer course showing word and excel learn't  quite a few short cuts which I would otherwise have known about

dont wanna p1ss on your chips but ECDL is very basic and I doubt it will get you very far in the IT industry. I used to be an ECDL trainer by the way

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ECDL would be useful for a non-IT career, but not really any way useful for trying to get an IT related job.

I'm afraid I don't have many suggestions how to get into the industry these days, there aren't an awful lot of opportunities around for unskilled - my company hasn't taken any 'trainees' on for a number of years.  If you don't do the uni route, then some sort of study in a specific area would be essential.  And stay away from the courses promising big salaries at the end of them - they are complete fantasy.

With web design, you can kind of pick that up yourself and work on your own, but it's a really competitive area and a lot of experienced people already working there.

I think Irish Beast is being generous telling you the ECDL wouldnt get you far in the IT industry. It wouldnt get you in the door.

How about trying Night classes at a local college. Get a HNC or something similar.

You say you have one GSCE. Maybe a GCSE in IT. You will have to start near rock bottom.

In our company we fund a lot of employee's who are 'on the tools' to undertake this course and a lot of them find it easy, bare in mind some of them have never used a computer before.

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But it doesn't matter, because it's just a ride. And we can change it any time we want.

As stated the ECDL is a very easy course and won't help you get a job on it's own.

It may look ok if you have other computer qualifications AND an ECDL.  It may be worth doing anyway if you've found it really cheap, but don't expect it to change the world for you.

I did ECDL in the military mate and its way too basic, means you can name the parts of a computer and use office to a minimum level thats about it.

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I agree, Im currently doing the ecdl course and its VERY BASIC.  Renaming files, copying files etc etc.  If you have no other IT qualifications then this is the right one to begin with, but you'll need to advance yourself onto other courses at the end of it.  something more specific like the other dudes here have said.

good luck to you tho, changing from one world to another can be tough!

Thanks for the info but i know its a really basic course, i wanted to do it hoping it would maybe get me onto more advanced courses as i dont have any qualifications, i would study for a few years if needs be, but ive no idea how to go about it.

"How dare these boxers challenge me with their primitive skills? It makes me angry. They're just as good as dead."

my wife teaches it - it's a bit crap.

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well if you're starting from scratch do the ecdl, and bear in mind an ecdl advanced course exists too.  do them both and take it from there

Just do it mate.....It's cheap and easy and shows a prospective employer that you are trying more things.

It won't take you long and will be an easy introduction back into learning for you.

wilks is only right mate

if it helps my college charged £350 which included 6 months part time, 2 x 3hr sesh per week including exams. or free if you're on the dole

edit; got the times wrong durrrr

It may be a sh1t course in temrs of prospects mate but the reality is you have to start off from the point you're currently at.

Get it done, do a few more, turn your spare time around so it becomes study and college for a year or two.

People mistakenly believe it;s ALL about qualifications - it's not - being able to demonstrate that you have the drive, commitment and tenacity to get off your ar5e at 25 and study while working full-time is a signal to employers that you are a good bet.

Of course, you'll need the abilities taught by the courses too but I'm a big believer in deciding you want something, then going out and getting it. End of the day, that's exactly how everyone else in work got their job too - they weren't sat at home when an IT company decided to phone and say "oi, mate, fancy a job?"

The employee himself did what he had to do to get the opportunity.

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