Nearly all aspiring web designers start their careers with Adobe Dreamweaver training. It’s most likely the favourite environment for web development on the planet.

We’d also suggest that you become fully conversant with the full Adobe Web Creative Suite, which incorporates Flash and Action Script, to be able to use Dreamweaver commercially as a web-designer. This knowledge can take you on to becoming an Adobe Certified Expert or Adobe Certified Professional (ACE or ACP).

In order to develop into a professional web-designer however, there is much more to consider. You will need to learn certain programming skills like HTML, PHP and MySQL. A good understanding of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and E-Commerce will also improve your CV and employability.

What is the reason why qualifications from colleges and universities are less in demand than the more qualifications from the commercial sector?

The IT sector now acknowledges that for an understanding of the relevant skills, official accreditation from such organisations as CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA most often has much more specialised relevance – and a fraction of the cost and time.

Academic courses, for instance, become confusing because of a lot of loosely associated study – and a syllabus that’s too generalised. Students are then held back from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.

It’s rather like the advert: ‘It does what it says on the tin’. Companies need only to know what they need doing, and then request applicants with the correct exam numbers. That way they can be sure they’re interviewing applicants who can do the job.

If you may be starting with a certification company who still utilises workshop days as part of their program, then consider these typical downsides experienced by many students:

* Regular travelling – very long trips usually.

* For those of us that work, then weekday only classes represent a difficulty in getting time off. You’re usually facing several days in a row too.

* Don’t ignore lost holiday time. Usually we’re lucky to have twenty days annual leave. If over 50 percent is used in classes, then it doesn’t leave much for us and our families.

* Workshop days usually become over full.

* The ‘pace’ – centre-days often consist of trainees of different aptitude, consequently tension can be created between those that want to go quickly as opposed to those who prefer a more relaxed pace.

* Don’t overlook the increased financial outlay of driving or taking public transport or bed and breakfast for the night either. Often, this will cost hundreds and even thousands of pounds extra. Take some time to add it all up – you may be surprised.

* Do you really want even a small chance of letting yourself be side-stepped for a possible promotion or wage increases while you’re training.

* Surely, all of us at some time have avoided asking a question, because we didn’t want to look stupid?

* If you occasionally work away from home, you have the added problem that events sometimes become difficult to get to – and yet, the fees were paid along with everything else at the start.

An altogether more elegant solution is watching a filmed workshop – having instructor-led teaching on hand whenever you wish.

Study can happen anywhere that suits. If you own a laptop, why not take in a little fresh air outside while you study. If any problem raises its head then utilise the 24×7 Support.

It doesn’t matter how regularly you feel you need to repeat something, filmed teachers can never get frustrated with you! And don’t forget, as an added bonus, you can say goodbye to note-taking. Everything’s laid out there for you when you need it.

The upshot: Reduced stress, more money in the bank, and absolutely no travelling.

Copyright 2009 S. Edwards. Go to www.CareerChangeCourses.co.uk/ucachco.html or Microsoft Access Courses.

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