Would I Recommend Computeach?

Computeach is a distance learning organisation that has been providing IT training for over 45 years.

The courses are mainly home-study with email and telephone support from qualified tutors. Study materials for the various courses are in the form of books, CDs and online training or E-Learning as Microsoft calls it. There are forums and chat rooms which allow you to interact with fellow students and obtain support from tutors.

Once you have studied the materials for your particular exam, if you feel ready to, you can take the relevant ‘mock’ exam. This is a timed, online test that you take from home and it has similar questions to the real exam. Computeach require their students to achieve a 90 percent pass mark on their respective mock exam. Once you attain this level (hardly anyone does on the first attempt), you are invited to Computeach HQ, in the Midlands, for a two-day revision course that culminates in the main event – the exam. These mini courses are known as ‘in-centre’ visits and depending on which exam you’re studying for, may be more than two days in duration.

Everyone I met on the ‘in-centre’ courses seemed to enjoy their time there. My tutor at the time had a great sense of humour and this made the classes fun while providing a relaxed atmosphere going into the exam.

Through Computeach, I passed six exams, which lead to two Microsoft Certifications. Also, their careers department helped me to secure a position with a rapidly expanding IT company. Two of my colleagues also came via Computeach.

It wasn’t easy though. There were many ups and downs and several times I thought I’d made the wrong decision signing up with them. However, I adopted a positive frame of mind, studied hard and achieved what I set out to do.

If you’re thinking of training for a career in IT and are considering the home study route, here are my opinions on Computeach based on my time with them:

Home Study – the Pros:  This suited me because I could fit it around my family and work commitments. Studying from home is more flexible than having to take evening classes. No travelling to and from the place of learning.  Imagine having to ask your present employer if you could leave work early twice a week for the next two years, so that you can go to college, attain qualifications and leave your current job for a better one! How do you think that would work?

With Computeach, your boss needn’t know what you’re doing. You study from home and email or telephone your tutors with any questions or speak to them via the support forums or chat rooms. 

Home Study – The Cons:  The kids are fast asleep and you’ve been studying for nearly two hours. It’s 11pm, you’re tired and you’ve come across a chapter that you just don’t understand. Unlike in a classroom, you can’t raise your hand to ask your teacher a question. You need to make a note of what you don’t understand and either email your tutor or call them the next day. However, right there and then, your studying stops. Alternatively, you could continue to the next chapter and then return to the previous one once you’ve spoken to your tutor or they’ve replied to your email. Whatever you do, your flow will slow down. What’s worse is that you may be on a subject where you cannot move on to point B until you’ve grasped point A. In this scenario, your flow will stop!

During my time with Computeach, the best solution for support was being able to phone the tutor at the precise point where I needed something explaining. Then, they’d follow it up with an immediate email if required. However, this was only possible during normal office hours.

The support chat rooms were good, but once again, during my time with Computeach, this service was mostly available during the day. Sometimes, there wasn’t a tutor available when the timetable said there would be, day or night – I hope this has been sorted out.

Would I Recommend Computeach?

I’m not sure if Computeach now offer tutor support in the evening, but if they do, then this is a good thing.

Studying from home is flexible, but you must be organised and self-disciplined. Your family must understand and respect what you’re trying to do – so no loud music or TV while you’re revising for an exam!

The ‘in-centre’ revision courses were informative and enjoyable. They’re even better if you pass the exam at the end of the second day. Travelling and accommodation can be expensive if you’re coming from far.

I would recommend Computeach, but I’d say find out as much as you can about the different areas of IT and the various roles available. Do you want to be a Programmer, Website Developer, Network Engineer, Administrator or Support Technician? Before calling any learning organisation, take your time to really find out what all of these roles consist of and which one you think you’d like to do.

Do not be pressured by pushy sales people. If you experience the hard sell or are given ultimatums or deadlines for enrolment – don’t do anything. The opportunity to carefully consider what you want to do should be respected.

If you live near a college and they have the evening class that you’re interested in and the times suit your work or family commitments, I’d recommend considering this too.

Finally, myself and two colleagues were able to change career having studied with Computeach. Both guys will tell you it was quite a bumpy ride, so, whatever you decide – be positive!

Good Luck.