CompTIA A+

The CompTIA A+ certificate is widely recognised and prepares the individual to enter the market as PC Technician. The CompTIA A+ certification is the industry standard for validating vendor-neutral skills expected for an entry level computer technician and will open the door for an exciting career in computer technology

This course is also known as Gateway to IT world.

The CompTIA A+ certification ensures that the successful candidate has the important knowledge and skills necessary (Exam 901) to covers the fundamentals of computer technology, installation and configuration of PCs, laptops and related hardware, and basic networking. Exam 902 covers the skills required to install and configure PC operating systems, as well as configuring common features (e.g. network connectivity and email) for mobile operating systems Android and Apple iOS.

• Building and Maintenance of PCs
• Mobile devices including Android and Apple iOS
• Laptops
• Operating Systems
• Networking and Security
• Hardware and Software Troubleshooting
• Printers
• Operational Procedures, Professionalism and Safety in IT

Course objectives

• Introduction to the Personal Computer (PC)
• Safety Lab procedure
• Computer Assembly — Step by Step
• Basics of Preventive Maintenance and Troubleshooting
• Fundamental Operating Systems
• Fundamental Laptops and Portable Devices
• Fundamental Printers and Scanners
• Fundamental Networks
• Fundamental Security
• Communication Skills
• Advanced Personal Computers
• Advanced Operating Systems
• Advanced Laptops and Portable Devices
• Advanced Printers and Scanners
• Advanced Networks
• Advanced Security

While many of the essential skills are universal, there are additional skills required to support the needs of businesses. By offering alternative validation paths for specific job scenarios, CompTIA A+ gives individuals the ability to grow their careers in a certain area, and employers the flexibility to choose the validation that best fits their needs.

Boot Camp

Want to do this course in an accelerated Boot Camp? – read more

This course is CPD accredited and could be counted towards your CPD hours.

Job Roles

CompTIA A+ is the industry standard certification for anyone individual looking at entering into IT. Because it’s recognised around the world and it’s vendor-neutral, lots of organisations list this qualification as the minimum technical requirement for their IT staff and contractors.

In the UK, the average salary of a CompTIA A+ technician is £24,300pa. The average salary for an A+ graduate is estimated to be £17,500pa. After graduation, you will easily find work for example as a Hardware Engineer or a 1st line Support Technician. Below is a short list of the starting range of career opportunities offered to A+ Technicians?

• Systems Administrator
• Systems Engineer
• Technical Support Specialist
• Field Service Technician
• Desktop Support Specialist
• 1st Line Support Engineer
• IT Support Administrator
• PC Technician
• IT administrator
• IT Technician

Possible Job Opportunities

https://www.technojobs.co.uk/a+-certification-jobs

http://www.indeed.co.uk/IT-Technician-jobs-in-Scotland

http://www.totaljobs.com/jobs/it-support/in-scotland

http://www.s1jobs.com/jobs/it-telecommunications/support/glasgow/find

http://www.cwjobs.co.uk/jobs/helpdesk-support-technician/in-scotland

CompTIA A+ Jobs Statistics

The following table is for comparison with the above and provides statistics for the entire Qualifications category in permanent jobs advertised in the Scotland region.

What this Qualification prepares you for?

The recently updated CompTIA A+ Essentials curriculum prepares students for the CompTIA A+ certification. CompTIA A+ Essentials can be followed by specialist exams for IT Technicians, Remote Support and Depot Technicians.

Exam Certification Preparation

Candidates can choose any of the following exam certifications:

Exam Title: CompTIA A+

Exam Code: 901 – 902

Hands on Experience

We have a work shop where we provide all type of PC, Laptop spare parts to our clients to get experience. Students will get the chance to assemble and disassemble desktop and /Laptop computers under the supervision of our experienced IT support Associate

What ITPT will be providing?

• Course materials
• Lab based experience
• Work Shops
• Hands out during the course delivery
• Access to ITPT Students Website Portal
• Volunteer work experience (provided if offer by any of our IT Support Associates)
• In house course completion certificate will be awarded on successful completion.
• Work experience letter will be awarded if attended.
• One to one interaction with the instructor (for special required students)
• Disabled candidates accommodations
• Job hunting help is aligned with our courses.
• Extra days to use ITPT labs besides their normal course days
• Borrowing books
• CV building help.

Classes Duration:

This course will be delivered 1 day a week, 7 hours a week, one full classroom.

4 months in total plus mock exam (2 weeks), Week Day, & Weekend classes.

Modes of Course Delivery & Attendance:

ITPT is currently providing different method of learning opportunities to our clients. Many people are looking for learning diversity to enhance their qualifications, but they don’t have the time to take on full-time instructor led study or attending courses regularly at their appropriate venues.

Online, distance and blended learning is a popular solution helping busy people study flexibly around their needs and requirements. We want to be the first choice for those potential online and distance learners so we are introducing a variety of different study channels so the people can facilitate themselves accordingly.

Method of Provision/ Student Support:

We have made available diverse and flexible learning methods to accommodate a wider variety of learners:

• Support Available for Instructor led, blended & distance learning are:

1. Direct telephone support with allocated mentor (during working hours)
2. Email support
3. ITPT Student Portal that can be accessed via ITPT Website
4. Study Materials (Hard Copy)
5. Online materials (Soft copy)
6. Work shop
7. Instructor Slides available on our students portal
8. Expert Advice
9. Group Project (Team Work)

Our Courses & Training Classes Suit the following:

Target Audiences: 

The IT training classes which we are currently offering are suitable for a wide range of candidates including:

• School leavers
• Adult returnees to education
• Individuals who intend to leave school and further their career path in a college or equivalent
• Individuals who are in employment and wish to enhance their career prospects
• Individuals who wish to start a new career in IT
• Individuals who wants to get promotion at work
• Individuals who wants to upgrade in their IT skills
• Individuals who intend to progress their career after the study of either the NQ in Computing, the NQ in Information Systems
• Individuals who intend to progress their career after the study of the PDA into further study at HN level
• Individuals who wish to study on a part-time (day or evening) or day-release mode

1.0 Hardware

1.1 Given a scenario, configure settings and use BIOS/UEFI tools on a PC.
1.2 Explain the importance of motherboard components, their purpose, and properties.
1.3 Compare and contrast various RAM types and their features.
1.4 Install and configure PC expansion cards.
1.5 Install and configure storage devices and use appropriate media.
1.6 Install various types of CPUs and apply the appropriate cooling methods.
1.7 Compare and contrast various PC connection interfaces, their characteristics and purpose.
1.8 Install a power supply based on given specifications.
1.9 Given a scenario, select the appropriate components for a custom PC configuration, to meet customer specifications or needs.
1.10 Compare and contrast types of display devices and their features.
1.11 Identify common PC connector types and associated cables.
1.12 Install and configure common peripheral devices.
1.13 Install SOHO multifunction device / printers and configure appropriate settings.
1.14 Compare and contrast differences between the various print technologies and the associated imaging process.
1.15 Given a scenario, perform appropriate printer maintenance.

2.0 Networking

2.1 Identify the various types of network cables and connectors.
2.2 Compare and contrast the characteristics of connectors and cabling.
2.3 Explain the properties and characteristics of TCP/IP.
2.4 Explain common TCP and UDP ports, protocols, and their purpose.
2.5 Compare and contrast various WiFi networking standards and encryption types.
2.6 Given a scenario, install and configure SOHO wireless/wired router and apply appropriate settings.
2.7 Compare and contrast Internet connection types, network types, and their features.
2.8 Compare and contrast network architecture devices, their functions, and features.
2.9 Given a scenario, use appropriate networking tools.

3.0 Mobile Devices

3.1 Install and configure laptop hardware and components.
3.2 Explain the function of components within the display of a laptop.
3.3 Given a scenario, use appropriate laptop features.
3.4 Explain the characteristics of various types of other mobile devices.
3.5 Compare and contrast accessories & ports of other mobile devices.

4.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

4.1 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPU and power with appropriate tools.
4.2 Given a scenario, troubleshoot hard drives and RAID arrays with appropriate tools.
4.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common video, projector and display issues.
4.4 Given a scenario, troubleshoot wired and wireless networks with appropriate tools.
4.5 Given a scenario, troubleshoot and repair common mobile device issues while adhering to the appropriate procedures.
4.6 Given a scenario, troubleshoot printers with appropriate tools.

Funding Available:

This course is FREE (SAAS part-time funding) to anyone who is on benefits or earning £25,000 or less, given that they have not used SAAS/ILA funding towards any other course/training in the last 12 months.

Those in receipt of following benefits are automatically eligible:

• Jobseekers allowance
• Income support
• Incapacity Benefit/Employment Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit (minimum rate)
• Pension Credit

Apply for course funding 

Our Courses are fully funded by SAAS: Student Awards Agency for Scotland

Please visit the SAAS website www.saas.gov.uk to see your eligibility.

Download: SAAS Part Time Funding Guide, Part Time Forms

Read: Part Time Students Eligibility Criteria, Disabled students’ allowance (DSA)

For Students who don’t qualify for the above fundings:

How much this course will cost?

If for any reason you do not qualify for SAAS funding our fees are as follows for students living  in UK or the European Union:

 Fees are payable in advance at the start of course unless otherwise agreed.

We also provide flexible fee instalments to help students in paying their fee.

There are a number of other funding opportunities available to UK and EU students to help them to pay for their studies. Contact the college for more details.