Web developers are members of the group, and they are the most technically minded. In addition to being proficient in 'HTML', 'XML' & CSS, web developers will know other highly regarded programming languages like 'VB', PHP, Java, C# and ASP.net for example. Many also have got a good understanding of 'SQL', the database language - because the data on many sizable modern web-sites is stored in this particular language. A normal E-commerce web-site doesn't have a bunch of web-designers who've created its thousands of pages in layout form. More usually, following the creation of a place-holder template, the contents will be taken from a Database and dynamically inserted. This not only makes the building, management & upgrades hugely more efficient, it equally creates a more consistent site.

Now, why ought we to be looking at commercially accredited qualifications as opposed to traditional academic qualifications taught at tech' colleges and universities? Vendor-based training (as it's known in the industry) is far more effective and specialised. Industry has acknowledged that such specialised knowledge is necessary to service the demands of an acceleratingly technical commercial environment. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA dominate in this arena. The training is effectively done through focusing on the skill-sets required (together with a relevant amount of related knowledge,) as opposed to going into the heightened depths of background non-specific minutiae that computer Science Degrees often do - to fill a three or four year course.

Just like the advert used to say: 'It does what it says on the label'. All an employer has to do is know what areas need to be serviced, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. Then they're assured that a potential employee can do exactly what's required.

When was the last time you considered your job security? For most of us, this only rears its head when we get some bad news. However, The cold truth is that true job security simply doesn't exist anymore, for the vast majority of people. We could however find security at market-level, by probing for areas that have high demand, tied with a lack of qualified workers.

Recently, a UK e-Skills study highlighted that more than 26 percent of all IT positions available remain unfilled due to a lack of trained staff. Put directly, we can only fill just 3 out of 4 positions in Information Technology (IT). Highly qualified and commercially grounded new staff are as a result at a complete premium, and it seems it will continue to be so for a long time. We can't imagine if a better time or market conditions is ever likely to exist for obtaining certification in this hugely emerging and blossoming sector.

Look at the points below in detail if you think the marketing blurb about examination guarantees seems like a good idea:

Patently it isn't free - you're still paying for it - it's just been included in your package price. Those who go in for their examinations when it's appropriate, funding them as they go are far more likely to pass first time. They're conscious of what they've paid and take the necessary steps to make sure they're ready.

Hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the appropriate time, and avoid college mark-up fees. In addition, it's then your choice where to do the examinations - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. Big margins are netted by some training companies that incorporate exam fees into the cost of the course. A number of students don't take them for various reasons but the company keeps the money. Amazingly, there are providers who rely on that fact - as that's very profitable for them. Don't forget, with 'Exam Guarantees' from most places - the company controls how often and when you are allowed to have another go. You will have to demonstrate an excellent pass-rate before they'll approve a re-take.

On average, exams cost 112 pounds or thereabouts last year through VUE or Pro-metric centres in the UK. So why pay hundreds or thousands of pounds extra to have 'an Exam Guarantee', when any student knows that the most successful method is a regular, committed, study programme, with an accredited exam preparation system.

Always expect an authorised exam preparation system as part of your course package. Sometimes people can get confused by going through practice questions that don't come from official boards. Often, the question formats and phraseology can be completely unlike un-authorised versions and you need to be ready for this. A way to build self-confidence is if you verify whether you're learning enough by doing quizzes and mock ups of exams prior to taking the real deal.