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Need to improve my worklife and income

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There's at least 1 other route which I know little about which is all the cisco/microsoft certification for installing and configuring hardware. I've no idea how well it pays or how easy it is to get into, it's quite far removed from what I do.

 

Cisco qualifications do pay very well. However for the average person, even an IT person they are very hard to achieve. To actually become certificated you would probably need some training and spending months of study. However those jobs eventually pay 40K 60K and that kind of thing.

 

When you say you have done IT stuff are you mainly talking about hardware or software? My impression is the hardware side of things has no money in it any longer.

What programming languages do you know? This is something you can improve in your own time and give you some great CV points.

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I'll take a look at the Cisco route, so long as the training/qualifying isn't too expensive I don't mind months of training.

In IT I'm talking more software than hardware, I've dabbled with SQL and VB but nothing specific in programming. I gather developers get a pretty reasonable salary, though the ones I've known have mostly been contractors on short term contracts.

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....

 

Apprenticeships are out of the question really, for my age they are few and far between - besides, I have a family and I need a higher income than that would allow to continue living where we are. ....

Not necessarily true.

As I have said already an "Apprenticeship" is now just a government sponsored course which can be attached to many levels of position.

 

It is not just a route for 16 year olds. It is not just for people on minimum wages.

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I'll take a look at the Cisco route, so long as the training/qualifying isn't too expensive I don't mind months of training.

In IT I'm talking more software than hardware, I've dabbled with SQL and VB but nothing specific in programming. I gather developers get a pretty reasonable salary, though the ones I've known have mostly been contractors on short term contracts.

 

I have first step CCNA. However, if want to go CiSCO way and compete in that area, at least CCNP is needed.

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Here's a way for you. Take any FTE job in BT even call centre. After 6 months you can apply for any job on the internal recruiting system. Service manager and IT technical jobs frequently advertised and it will pay the £30k you're looking for, and more as you progress. You will not need ITIL, CISCO, ORACLE, MS or anything.

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Here's a way for you. Take any FTE job in BT even call centre. After 6 months you can apply for any job on the internal recruiting system. Service manager and IT technical jobs frequently advertised and it will pay the £30k you're looking for, and more as you progress. You will not need ITIL, CISCO, ORACLE, MS or anything.

 

That's interesting, I've already had interviews at BT but not quite made the grade as I've been applying for things that I can do but just don't have a lot of background in. I like the thought of working for BT too... So, are you saying jobs are advertised on the internal recruiting system before being advertised externally? - and therefore I'll have more chance of getting them?

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That's interesting, I've already had interviews at BT but not quite made the grade as I've been applying for things that I can do but just don't have a lot of background in. I like the thought of working for BT too... So, are you saying jobs are advertised on the internal recruiting system before being advertised externally? - and therefore I'll have more chance of getting them?

 

Yes absolutely.

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I'll take a look at the Cisco route, so long as the training/qualifying isn't too expensive I don't mind months of training.

In IT I'm talking more software than hardware, I've dabbled with SQL and VB but nothing specific in programming. I gather developers get a pretty reasonable salary, though the ones I've known have mostly been contractors on short term contracts.

 

Contract developers are very well paid (at least compared to the money you're talking about), but you need to be experienced and skilled to work like that.

If you want to get into development it would probably be quite hard without a relevant degree. But if you did some training off your own back then you might get an entry level role, which would probably pay 18 - 22 k, that kind of range.

 

---------- Post added 13-10-2017 at 20:29 ----------

 

That's interesting, I've already had interviews at BT but not quite made the grade as I've been applying for things that I can do but just don't have a lot of background in. I like the thought of working for BT too... So, are you saying jobs are advertised on the internal recruiting system before being advertised externally? - and therefore I'll have more chance of getting them?

 

Probably true of many large organisations, and if you're serious (and capable) they'll put you on the appropriate training to work towards them.

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That's interesting, I've already had interviews at BT but not quite made the grade as I've been applying for things that I can do but just don't have a lot of background in. I like the thought of working for BT too... So, are you saying jobs are advertised on the internal recruiting system before being advertised externally? - and therefore I'll have more chance of getting them?

 

sent you a PM.

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Dont want to open new thread, because I have similar question. Same age as OP,same fields of interests, I am looking to obtain better education not necessarily in IT field.

 

 

Now, what are my options as adult learner in Sheffield? I am looking for courses for evening/ afternoon time and online courses, I am working during the day.

 

Is there anything like that possible in Sheffield?

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Dont want to open new thread, because I have similar question. Same age as OP,same fields of interests, I am looking to obtain better education not necessarily in IT field.

 

 

Now, what are my options as adult learner in Sheffield? I am looking for courses for evening/ afternoon time and online courses, I am working during the day.

 

Is there anything like that possible in Sheffield?

 

I've done a few courses from here

 

https://www.edx.org/

 

Not for any career advancement, only for my personal interest. The ones I did I found very good. You can obtain certification from some, and work towards a MicroMasters, whatever that is.

 

I did a Masters through the OU twenty years ago, whilst also working full-time, and that was a lot of work.

 

Within Sheffield, https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/dll

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I'm a 40-something guy and spent most of my working life in IT support in one form or another. I've got a whole load of experience and knowledge in a lot of different areas but never branched out into anything specific.

Since the companies I've worked for have never given any official training, I've never gained actual IT qualifications. I did do a degree module a few years ago, but nothing since. Life takes over and on it goes...

 

I'm now being made redundant and whilst there are opportunities out there, (I'm getting interviews etc at the same level) - I'm struggling to see how I can turn myself into a higher earner (from £20kish to +£30k). Employers seem to want someone who already knows how to do a job, rather than employ someone who has a good past record and let them grow into a higher role.

 

I feel my options are to work the same kind of job for another year and this time do some out of office hours specialist course/training, which will hopefully lead to this. But in what?

I've though of getting into web design, developing, ITIL training, finance accounting etc - I'm pretty sure I can turn my hand to one of these, and since I don't have a real preference to one over any other I'm basing it more on which direction will bring more money in at the end of the day.

I'd also consider starting up my own business, providing 1-on-1 computer help/support, web design or even open a cafe further down the line. However I know there are more risks going this way.

I also don't have much cash to splash out, and my payout is likely to only be pretty small - so that's not going to help much!

 

Anyone been in a similar situation? Got any advice on how to decide on my next step? :help:

 

As some have said, the lack of a formal IT qualification may be holding you back, but, tbh, if you've got good skills and experience it shouldn't be a major factor. I left school at 16 with only secondary education certificates but I managed to get into some very good, big, national and international companies and eventually the skills and experience I built up more than made up for a lack of formal qualifications.

 

In terms of your future direction, I'd certainly suggest you look at taking your skills into digital marketing/web development and contact companies in that field. It's growing like crazy and there should be opportunities there for IT literate people.

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