It's really great that you've already got this far! Only one in ten folks claim contentment with their job, but a huge number just bitch about it and do nothing. By looking for this we have a hunch that you've a personal interest in re-training, which means you're already ahead of the pack. The next step is to get busy to find your direction.

On the subject of training, it's crucial to first define your requirements from the career you would like to get. You need to know that the grass actually is greener before you put a lot of energy into changing the direction of your life. Prudence suggests looking at the end goal first, to make an informed decision:

* Do you like to work collaborating with people? Is that as part of a team or with many new people? It could be working by yourself with your own methodology may be your preference?

* Banking and building are not coping well at the moment, so think carefully about the sector that would give you the most options?

* Having completed your retraining, would you like your new abilities to serve you till you retire?

* Are you happy that the training program you've chosen can help you find employment, and will provide the facility to allow you to work until your pension kicks in?

Don't overlook the IT sector, that will be time well spent - it's one of the only market sectors still on the grow in this country and overseas. Another benefit is that remuneration packages are much better than most.

There is a tidal wave of change about to hit technology over the next few decades - and this means greater innovations all the time. We've only just begun to scrape the surface of how technology will affect our lives in the future. The internet will significantly revolutionise how we view and interrelate with the entire world over the coming years.

The typical IT man or woman across the UK can demonstrate that they earn considerably more money than equivalent professionals in another industry. Mean average remuneration packages are around the top of national league tables. It's no secret that there is a great nationwide demand for trained and qualified IT technicians. In addition, as growth in the industry shows little sign of contracting, it is likely this pattern will continue for the significant future.

Be under no illusions, the computer sector provides outstanding potential. Yet, to fully investigate, what questions do we need to raise, and what are the sectors we need to investigate?

A capable and specialised advisor (in direct contrast to a salesman) will talk through your abilities and experience. This is paramount to calculating the point at which you need to start your studies. If you have a strong background, or even a touch of work-based experience (some industry qualifications maybe?) then it's likely the level you'll need to start at will be very different from a trainee who has no experience. Working through a user skills program first may be the ideal way to start into your IT studies, but really depends on your level of familiarity with computers.

Training support for students is an absolute must - locate a good company providing 24x7 full access, as anything else will annoy you and definitely put a damper on the speed you move through things. Avoid, like the plague, any organisations that use 'out-of-hours' messaging systems - where an advisor will call back during office hours. It's no use when you're stuck on a problem and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.

Keep your eyes open for study programmes that use several support centres active in different time-zones. Every one of them needs to be seamlessly combined to give a single entry point and round-the-clock access, when you want it, without any problems. Never ever take second best when you're looking for the right support service. Many IT hopefuls that give up, are in that situation because they didn't get the support necessary for them.

We'd hazard a guess that you probably enjoy fairly practical work - a 'hands-on' personality type. If you're anything like us, the unfortunate chore of reading reference guides is something you'll force on yourself if you absolutely have to, but it doesn't suit your way of doing things. Consider interactive, multimedia study if you'd really rather not use books. If we can get all of our senses involved in our learning, our results will often be quite spectacular.

Start a study-program in which you're provided with an array of CD and DVD ROM's - you'll learn by watching video tutorials and demonstrations, and then have the opportunity to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills. You'll definitely want a study material demo' from your training provider. The package should contain instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and lab's for you to practice your skills in.

It's unwise to go for purely on-line training. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from most broadband providers, you should always obtain CD or DVD ROM based materials.

An important area that is sometimes not even considered by new students mulling over a new direction is that of 'training segmentation'. This is essentially the breakdown of the materials to be delivered to you, which vastly changes how you end up. Training companies will normally offer some sort of program spread over 1-3 years, and send out each piece as you complete each section or exam. On the surface this seems reasonable - until you consider the following: What if there are reasons why you can't finish each and every exam? Maybe the prescribed order won't suit you? Without any fault on your part, you might take a little longer and therefore not end up with all the modules.

For maximum flexibility and safety, it's normal for most trainees to request that all their modules (now paid for) are posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. It's then up to you in what order and how fast or slow you'd like to work.

'Exam Guarantees' are often bundled with training offers - they always involve paying for the exam fees up-front, at the very beginning of your studies. Before you get carried away with the chance of a guarantee, consider this:

Patently it isn't free - you are paying for it - the price has simply been included in the whole thing. Qualifying on the first 'go' is what everyone wants to do. Going for exams in order and paying for them just before taking them has a marked effect on pass-rates - you revise thoroughly and are conscious of what you've spent.

Do your exams somewhere local and go for the best offer you can find when you're ready. Why tie up your cash (or borrow more than you need) for examinations when you didn't need to? Big margins are made because training colleges are charging upfront for all their exams - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. Additionally, many exam guarantees are worthless. Most companies won't pay for re-takes until you have demonstrated conclusively that you won't fail again.

With average prices for VUE and Pro-metric exams in the United Kingdom costing around 112 pounds, it makes sense to pay as you go. It's not in the student's interests to fork out hundreds or thousands of pounds for exams when enrolling on a course. Study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.

One feature that several companies offer is a Job Placement Assistance program. This is designed to help you find your first job in the industry. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it's quite easy for companies marketing departments to make too much of it. In reality, the massive skills shortage in Great Britain is what will make you attractive to employers.

Help with your CV and interview techniques is sometimes offered (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). Make sure you polish up your CV straight away - don't leave it till you pass the exams! It's not unusual to find that you will be offered your initial job whilst you're still studying (occasionally right at the beginning). If your CV doesn't show your latest training profile (and it hasn't been posted on jobsites) then you don't stand a chance! Normally you'll get better results from a specialised and independent local recruitment service than any course provider's employment division, as they'll know the local area and commercial needs better.

Not inconsiderable numbers of trainees, so it seems, put a great deal of effort into their studies (sometimes for years), only to do nothing special when trying to get their first job. Introduce yourself... Make an effort to get in front of employers. Don't expect a job to just fall into your lap.