BTEC Award in Computer Engineering Level 2

[Salieri]

I currently work as a builder but due to problems with my back i'm looking into the prospect of retraining for a new career. I'd quite like to get into computer repair and maintenance and after searching the web I found a course on this website and it looks like the sort of thing i'd like to have a go at.

I'm just looking for a bit of advice really. Has anyone done this course or one similar? Is the qualification a worthwhile one? And if I was to complete the course what would be the next related course/qualification to aim for?

Ideally I would like to be trained up within 3-5 years to hopefully pursue a career of this nature, possibly self employed.

Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.

[m00nie]

not sure how you are with pcs but looks very basic course

The course consists of 5 Units: Unit 01: Computer Assembly (Build a PC from scratch) Unit 02: PC Maintenance (Hardware and Software repair techniques) Unit 03: Data Storage (File System, Partitions volumes etc.) Unit 04: Communications(Internet, Network intro's) Unit 05: Backups (Backup systems)

if your ok with pcs i wouldnt bother personally and go with a more advanced course on something..

[Salieri]

not sure how you are with pcs but looks very basic course

The course consists of 5 Units: Unit 01: Computer Assembly (Build a PC from scratch) Unit 02: PC Maintenance (Hardware and Software repair techniques) Unit 03: Data Storage (File System, Partitions volumes etc.) Unit 04: Communications(Internet, Network intro's) Unit 05: Backups (Backup systems)

if your ok with pcs i wouldnt bother personally and go with a more advanced course on something..

My computer knowledge isn't particularly extensive to be honest and as i'm not in a massive rush to get qualified i thought it would make sense to start at a fairly basic level, to ease myself into it I guess.

I'm hoping that this will give me a taste for it and give me the knowledge and confidence to learn at a more advanced level.

[m00nie]

get yourself an old pc free from somewhere like freecycle., open the case, take it apart, learn whats what (things literally slot into each other) put it back together. format the hard drive. get an old windows cd. install it. get the drivers.. you will soon learn the things on offer in the course and save yourself £300 in the meantime..

[davieG]

You should contact a few potential future employers and ask them what they think of it and what you might need to get employment with them.

[Salieri]

You should contact a few potential future employers and ask them what they think of it and what you might need to get employment with them.

In an ideal world I would like to eventually set up in business and go self employed but obviously this may not be viable, at least initially. You're right, it would be a good idea to gauge what sort of qualifications prospective employers are looking for. I definitely see this course as just a stepping stone to a more advanced level anyway, i've allowed myself a few years and want to learn as much as I can in that time.

[Christoph]

I wouldnt bother with that course. Depends how much drive and motivation you have, as it seems like a really basic course they would give to drop outs from secondary school. nothing tutorials on the internet can't teach you. I agree with Moonie, go for more advance but then its all up to you, I just couldnt see how this would benefit you much in terms of a career, as you can probably get the experience by doing it yourself with doing a more advanced course. Putting a pc together is EASY. Most problems get solved by google

[davieG]

In an ideal world I would like to eventually set up in business and go self employed but obviously this may not be viable, at least initially. You're right, it would be a good idea to gauge what sort of qualifications prospective employers are looking for. I definitely see this course as just a stepping stone to a more advanced level anyway, i've allowed myself a few years and want to learn as much as I can in that time.

I believe DB11 works part-time for a pc repair business in Coalville he might be able to advise you.

[Salieri]

I believe DB11 works part-time for a pc repair business in Coalville he might be able to advise you.

I'm hoping his name pops up on this thread at some point yes

Cheers for the advice guys.

[Basingstoke Fox]

Do you mind me asking how old you are? If your between 16 and 24, it may be worth having a look at Zenos

. This is a full time advanced apprenticeship in I.T. I'm not sure if it's exactly what your looking at but its certainly alot more involved than the other course by the sounds of things. Details can be found in the link but they offer a level 3 diploma in ICT Systems and Principles, a level 3 diploma in and an internationally recognized qualification from CompTIA.

The course has changed since I finished. When I went, it was a 22 week course, and then after we finished we simply went out to get a job. It says its now a 39 week course, although I think that after 15 weeks, the rest of the course is you doing work placement with some company. Hopefully once your done, you can then secure full time work with whatever company you've been working with, or the employment team at Zenos will help you to find a job.

I went to the Basingstoke Academy, though they are scattered nationwide and I happen to know there is one in Leicester. When I went, I got £80 per week (it's £100 per week if you don't have another job). So you do get quite a good wage given that it's an apprenticeship. Although if you have rent/bills etc. Then this may well not be enough!

Before I started the course, I was slightly put off by what I'd read from other people on various forums etc suggesting that it 'wasn't all it's hyped up to be'. However, I went in the February 2011 intake and finished in July. Even though the course can be hard at times, if you put enough work in, you'll get everything out of the course!

If you want to know anything else about it just ask me!

[Salieri]

Do you mind me asking how old you are? If your between 16 and 24, it may be worth having a look at Zenos

. This is a full time advanced apprenticeship in I.T. I'm not sure if it's exactly what your looking at but its certainly alot more involved than the other course by the sounds of things. Details can be found in the link but they offer a level 3 diploma in ICT Systems and Principles, a level 3 diploma in and an internationally recognized qualification from CompTIA.

The course has changed since I finished. When I went, it was a 22 week course, and then after we finished we simply went out to get a job. It says its now a 39 week course, although I think that after 15 weeks, the rest of the course is you doing work placement with some company. Hopefully once your done, you can then secure full time work with whatever company you've been working with, or the employment team at Zenos will help you to find a job.

I went to the Basingstoke Academy, though they are scattered nationwide and I happen to know there is one in Leicester. When I went, I got £80 per week (it's £100 per week if you don't have another job). So you do get quite a good wage given that it's an apprenticeship. Although if you have rent/bills etc. Then this may well not be enough!

Before I started the course, I was slightly put off by what I'd read from other people on various forums etc suggesting that it 'wasn't all it's hyped up to be'. However, I went in the February 2011 intake and finished in July. Even though the course can be hard at times, if you put enough work in, you'll get everything out of the course!

If you want to know anything else about it just ask me!

I'm an old man now! (36) and it's been a long time since i've undertaken any structured 'learning'. I've got good G.C.S.E and A-Level grades, even went to uni but dropped out after a year as I hated the course and frankly had had enough of study.

Probably wasn't the wisest of moves as I then drifted from job to job before ending up in the building trade! I just feel now is the time to start using my brain a bit more and look at a career change.

I understand to a lot of people the course i'm looking at probably appears a bit 'basic' but to be honest, that's what i'm looking for I suppose just to get me into the swing of things. I'm hoping it will be (an albeit) expensive 'taster' towards pushing myself up to a higher level.

I appreciate your advice anyway, just a shame I'm not about 15 years younger!

[Rincewind]

Couldn't you use your knowledge of the building trade and take a back seat. Site manager or similar. Know thing about the trade myself so excuse me if its a daft idea.

[Guest Mee-9]

Mate, I'd go straight for a BTEC level 3. Level 2's act as a foundation, and they aren't necessary.

As I said, go for a BTEC level 3, there two year courses, worth 3 A-Levels, graded on coursework. So if you're not an exam style person, you'll relish this.

And finally, you're never too old to learn.

[Salieri]

Couldn't you use your knowledge of the building trade and take a back seat. Site manager or similar. Know thing about the trade myself so excuse me if its a daft idea.

It's not, but to be honest I think I'd just like a complete change. I only fell into it by accident, when the kids come along you've just gotta work haven't you and a job came up so I took it. I've enjoyed it and still am to an extent but am not convinced it's something i'm going to want to do for the rest of my working life.

I think working out in all weathers, coupled with the bad back is beginning to get to me.

Either that or i'm having a mid life crisis.

[Salieri]

Mate, I'd go straight for a BTEC level 3. Level 2's act as a foundation, and they aren't necessary.

As I said, go for a BTEC level 3, there two year courses, worth 3 A-Levels, graded on coursework. So if you're not an exam style person, you'll relish this.

And finally, you're never too old to learn.

Cheers. I'm just worried that as my computer knowledge is fairly basic, i might find jumping straight in at Level 3 a bit daunting and if the subject matter is a bit above my head, it may put me off.

It's probably a lack of confidence as like i've said, it's been a long time since i've been in 'education.'

I'm still considering my options so I really do appreciate all of this advice.

[Rincewind]

I can understand that. I wasn't really looking to do security but I was made redundant after nearly 30 years at one place and because of that was accepted straight away after a CR check Before My boss did a runner putting the company into liquidation I thought that I would have the job for another two or three years depending on what the ownerrs of the empty building decided what to do with it. But in a way it may be a good thing. I am getting involved with work in the community and looking to taking It courses. I wanted to slow down and cutting my hours down nearer to retirement anyway so I'm just doing it earlier than I planned. Part time cleaning glass collecting anything in that line to pay for what the social doesnt will do for me. I think those at the jobcentre realise its going to be difficult for me to start a new career five years from retirement. Time to do my memoirs I think.

[DB11]

I'd probably just echo the sentiments that are being made here. It does look a basic course, but that may be just the thing you need to start you off and wet your appetite. Everything I know and have learnt, has been from initially volunteering at a computer repair shop. I watched, asked questions, played (read: broke, and then had to learn how to fix) with computers in the shop and just generally was shadowing / annoying the boss constantly to learn. I'm naturally a quick learner anyway, so as I was getting more confident I'd then try more advanced things. If I didn't know what to do, I'd try and use the limited experience I had to just find the answer (Google is your friend!). Failing that, I'd ask the boss and then remember what he did.

That went on for a summer, and then I was offered a part time job at the end of it. How I am today is that if he needs any help, he'll give me a ring. The only qualification I have relating to IT is an A Level, but that was in ICT and nothing to do with computer repair or hardware and software. The course you link may give you the initial idea of a computer and how it goes together, but the main thing will be experience (if a computer isn't working, then you have to 'feel' it and see what it sounds like... are the discs spinning in the hard drive, is the ram beeping because it isn't seated correctly or is the thing extremely hot because the graphics card has gone?). I doubt that course will be able to teach you that.

I'd say maybe look into that deeply, and then if you choose to do it go for a level three after, or any more qualifications. Not because the qualifications would be 'recognised' as such (I know where I work he isn't interested in qualifications, he's interested in experience or whether you can fix a machine or not!) I guess I was either lucky, or had an advantage because I was young (in his words, he likes me because he's moulded me into working how he does, without cutting corners, and doing things 'his' way) and of course, the initial fact that I was voluntary just because I had a willingness to learn!

I don't know if my post has helped you all that much, because I'm not an employer who can comment on the qualification, as to whether it's recognised or worthwhile, but I can just comment on my own experience and tell you what I did. I know my boss, who obviously is self employed and owns his own business, worked for years as a technician for Siemens before deciding he didn't like the travelling, so got a job in a computer repair shop then decided he didn't like how they did things so opened his own one up just down the road, stealing all of the business in the process

[lavrentis]

I've done the Level 3 BTEC national diploma in It practitioners and got DDD and although I am quite good with computers I found it quite easy although of the workload. For some reason though I felt that it wasn't the knowledge that got me the grades, it was the ability to be able to basically write a lot and what the marker wanted.

I did ECDL level 2 in that time and I felt like it was taking the piss, not sure whether thats a good representative of Level 2 courses but I think I must have got more than 95% in most exams.

[Basingstoke Fox]

I'm an old man now! (36) and it's been a long time since i've undertaken any structured 'learning'. I've got good G.C.S.E and A-Level grades, even went to uni but dropped out after a year as I hated the course and frankly had had enough of study.

Probably wasn't the wisest of moves as I then drifted from job to job before ending up in the building trade! I just feel now is the time to start using my brain a bit more and look at a career change.

I understand to a lot of people the course i'm looking at probably appears a bit 'basic' but to be honest, that's what i'm looking for I suppose just to get me into the swing of things. I'm hoping it will be (an albeit) expensive 'taster' towards pushing myself up to a higher level.

I appreciate your advice anyway, just a shame I'm not about 15 years younger!

I'd probably just echo the sentiments that are being made here. It does look a basic course, but that may be just the thing you need to start you off and wet your appetite. Everything I know and have learnt, has been from initially volunteering at a computer repair shop. I watched, asked questions, played (read: broke, and then had to learn how to fix) with computers in the shop and just generally was shadowing / annoying the boss constantly to learn. I'm naturally a quick learner anyway, so as I was getting more confident I'd then try more advanced things. If I didn't know what to do, I'd try and use the limited experience I had to just find the answer (Google is your friend!). Failing that, I'd ask the boss and then remember what he did.

That went on for a summer, and then I was offered a part time job at the end of it. How I am today is that if he needs any help, he'll give me a ring. The only qualification I have relating to IT is an A Level, but that was in ICT and nothing to do with computer repair or hardware and software. The course you link may give you the initial idea of a computer and how it goes together, but the main thing will be experience (if a computer isn't working, then you have to 'feel' it and see what it sounds like... are the discs spinning in the hard drive, is the ram beeping because it isn't seated correctly or is the thing extremely hot because the graphics card has gone?). I doubt that course will be able to teach you that.

I'd say maybe look into that deeply, and then if you choose to do it go for a level three after, or any more qualifications. Not because the qualifications would be 'recognised' as such (I know where I work he isn't interested in qualifications, he's interested in experience or whether you can fix a machine or not!) I guess I was either lucky, or had an advantage because I was young (in his words, he likes me because he's moulded me into working how he does, without cutting corners, and doing things 'his' way) and of course, the initial fact that I was voluntary just because I had a willingness to learn!

I don't know if my post has helped you all that much, because I'm not an employer who can comment on the qualification, as to whether it's recognised or worthwhile, but I can just comment on my own experience and tell you what I did. I know my boss, who obviously is self employed and owns his own business, worked for years as a technician for Siemens before deciding he didn't like the travelling, so got a job in a computer repair shop then decided he didn't like how they did things so opened his own one up just down the road, stealing all of the business in the process

As far as the qualification is concerned. I'd personally highly recomment looking at the 'A+' qualification from CompTIA. In a nutshell, learning everything in this is like learning a basic level in a range of different computing subjects (Introduction to PC's, different types of hardware, networking, maintenance, operating systems, etc.).

Although it won't give you the actual experience itself which is probably the most valueable thing you could have (I've only got a couple of months experience in a propper I.T role myself), it will give you a great background knowledge which you can then build upon. It is internationally recognised and well worth doing in my opinion. I'm not sure whether there are any 'Prometric Testing Centres' in your area although I'm sure there are.

One useful resource which you could use are the free video's which I've used when taking the course from a guy called Professor Messer. He has many videos which are available with all the information needed to pass the exam (though his accent will be annoying at first ). Although the videos probably wouldn't be enough to pass the exam on their own, they are a useful resource so if you found a good book on it, you could be well on your way!

Perhaps it'd be worrth looking through one or two of the videos to see what you think. Some of my mates couldn't stand them but still passed the exam with flying colours, its all down to personal preference really.

It's a shame about being unable to go to Zenos as they train people who know literally nothing about anything to do with computers to get everything they can out of the course. I'm sure there are plenty of other options out there though.

[Fox92]

I did undertake the BTEC National Diploma - ICT Practitioners at College at Worksop. Took me two years (2009 - 2011) and learnt me loads of things. From me learning, I now always upgrade my PC when I have enough money.

I'd certainly say go for it if you have the motivation and patience.

[Dr The Singh]

I currently work as a builder but due to problems with my back i'm looking into the prospect of retraining for a new career. I'd quite like to get into computer repair and maintenance and after searching the web I found a course on this website and it looks like the sort of thing i'd like to have a go at.

I'm just looking for a bit of advice really. Has anyone done this course or one similar? Is the qualification a worthwhile one? And if I was to complete the course what would be the next related course/qualification to aim for?

Ideally I would like to be trained up within 3-5 years to hopefully pursue a career of this nature, possibly self employed.

Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.

I've worked in the industry over 15 years. Computer maintenence\PC build is considered 'low level' IT but there are people making money from it I presume. Companies in general ourtsource PC hardware issues or buy long term warranty from the manufacturers.

I would honestly, get a old PC, and buy a book and learn practically for PC building and get comfortable with the terminology etc, rather then waste time and money on a low level BTECH. There are some industry standard qualifications such as A+, and I think HP and Dell do a PC types courses aswell.

After you'ver got a qualification and are comfortable, you may want to apply for a first line IT support role to gain a wider experience or go into business yourself. Your age will make it difficult and first line support jobs do not pay well!

Any questions do not hesitate to ask!

[Salieri]

Great advice from everyone, thanks again.

I've decided (for now at least) not to do the course and try to learn as much as I can practically off my own bat.

Remembered I still had my old PC from a couple of years ago up in the loft so i'm going to get that down and have a play around with that, using the internet as a reference guide pretty much.

Hopefully then, I will look to starting a course at a slightly more advanced level, such as the CompTIA A+ course.

[m00nie]

main components are

case

psu power supply unit

motherboard:

processor

ram: memory

graphics card (some slot in some are in built)

fans

hard drive

disk drives

cables

when you take the side of the case off you will see how they all slot into case.. onto the motherboard.. familiar yourself with what is what .. most things only go in one way so power off (maybe use static band ) and remove and replace parts. get to learn what is what and where it goes..

im like yourself the older generation and pcs were not really available when i was at school but over the time ive experimented myself, taking apart, building them, setting up etc.. you soon pick it up and you would be surprised how basic a a pc set up actually is.. its bit lit a lego set as it just all slots together...

then once you familiarised yourself with teh hardware you can move on to the operating system and software...

[Rincewind]

I know someone who fixes PC's on a voluntary basis, a place up Beaumont Leys I think. He also repairs them and flogs reconditioned ones. Makes a fair living out of it. Registered disabled so has money from that too.

[Salieri]

I know someone who fixes PC's on a voluntary basis, a place up Beaumont Leys I think. He also repairs them and flogs reconditioned ones. Makes a fair living out of it. Registered disabled so has money from that too.

I was wondering about that as well as repairing P.C's. I presume you can 'build' a decent computer for a fair amount cheaper than shop bought ones. I have no idea on profit margins as I don't know (yet) what individual parts cost.

Lots of research needed methinks.

Oh, and thanks to moonie as well for the extra advice.