Many people will find themselves in search of a new direction at the moment, whether they have become a victim of the recession or simply want to pursue a different career.

There are inevitably some areas which are in need of talent more than others – and the IT sector is one example. With the digital age in full swing, there has perhaps been no better time to become competent in the industry.

A recent study conducted by e-skills UK showed that regardless of the recession, employment in the country's technology industries has continued to increase.

It estimates that around one in 18 people now work in the sector, with the IT and Telecoms professional workforce growing at twice the UK average over the past eight years alone.

However, those who are interested in taking this direction will find numerous IT training course providers vying for their attention. And it can be hard to differentiate between the good and the bad.

There are a number of top tips which potential students need to consider before signing up to a course, as learning new skills involves a high level of commitment.

Firstly, anyone thinking of enrolling needs to look into the company's history – does it have a good reputation? What are other people saying about it? Perhaps looking beyond the firm's PR material is a good idea, as the most accurate reflection of what it has to offer comes from the consumers.

Another key area worth considering is whether or not the training course provider will give you the opportunity to work flexibly. Let's face it, few of us have the time to sit and study for hours on end, seven days a week. By opting for a training programme with a bit of leniency, this stress is removed and you can get on with gaining your qualifications.

As with any challenge, it is worth assessing the likelihood of success. Therefore it is worth getting in touch with an IT training course provider to ask what their first-time pass rate is. Figures speak volumes, remember, so this can be a crucial tool in working out where to send your business.

Cost is bound to be a consideration for many a candidate. Some companies will provide more for your money than others, so think about looking into whether examination fees and course materials are included.

Accreditation is an important part of the selection process; going to a company which has the relevant certificates and affiliations will no doubt offer you peace of mind. Some of the main endorsements people need to be on the look out for include the Institute of IT Training and the Personally Funded Training Accreditation scheme.

So, you've got your qualification from a reputed provider – now what? Having IT skills and the certificates to prove it is all well and good, but you will only reap the rewards once you have a career to really show what you can do.

Having an IT training provider which leaves you high and dry once you've completed the course is not likely to be on anyone's agenda. Therefore it is worth considering whether your chosen course offers a job search support service. Some may even have companies they are involved with who will take new recruits on board, which offers great opportunities to those with their newly-acquired IT skills.

The e-skills survey found that around 140,000 new entrants to the profession are required each year and that a lack of applicants for the positions with the required skills, qualifications or experience is a major problem for many employers.

It would seem that there are opportunities aplenty for people to make the most of after undertaking their training qualifications, it's just a case of knowing where to start looking.

The key to being successful in embarking on a course is doing your homework first. Becoming involved with a company which has all the right credentials will pay dividends in the future in more ways than one.

Source:  Computeach

Just before Christmas, Housing Minister John Healey announced that communities across the North and Midlands will share £311m this year to boost work already underway to transform homes and regenerate communities.

Today's housing funding will also protect and create over 1,000 jobs and apprenticeships in the construction industry.

It is on top of a total of £1.7 billion funding to build new homes that John Healey has announced since June – supporting the construction industry through the recession, creating jobs and apprenticeships and helping to tackle the shortage of affordable homes.  This funding has helped councils build more homes and kick-start stalled housebuilding projects, including over £76m across the twelve Pathfinder areas.

Since 2002 the Housing Market Renewal programme has tackled severe housing market failure in parts of the North and Midlands, in places where prices had collapsed and there was widespread abandonment. 

£2.2bn has been invested so far in regenerating towns across the 12 Pathfinders, including refurbishing almost 60,000 homes for around 140,000 people. 

This next wave of funding will help renovate a further 6,500 homes for around 15,000 people.

Housing Minister John Healey said:

We're investing billions of pounds across the country building new homes the country needs and helping to tackle the shortage of affordable housing. But we must also continue our drive to bring existing homes and communities back up to scratch in parts of the country that previously lagged behind the rest.

I am today backing these towns with £311m to transform themselves into the sorts of attractive communities that will bring people back to live there and provide much needed new homes. Crucially it will improve the quality of life and the neighbourhoods for those people stuck, unable to sell their homes, in these abandoned streets.

At the same time this power of government investment will also support the construction industry during the recession, create opportunities for local workers and apprentices to learn a trade.

There are twelve Housing Market Renewal (HMR) areas: Birmingham/Sandwell, East Lancashire, Hull & East Riding, Manchester/Salford, Merseyside, Newcastle/Gateshead, North Staffordshire, Oldham Rochdale, South Yorkshire, Tees Valley, West Cumbria and West Yorkshire.

All twelve areas have had to prove they will deliver value for money, judged on factors such as housebuilding and refurbishment levels and – for the first time – on the numbers of jobs and apprenticeships this funding would create locally, and how this will support economic recovery. 

The £311m is planned to be distributed across the Pathfinder areas as follows:

• Birmingham Sandwell: £11m
• East Lancashire: £48m
• Hull and East Riding: £28m
• Manchester Salford: £42m
• Merseyside: £47m
• Newcastle Gateshead: £29m
• North Staffordshire: £36m
• Oldham Rochdale: £28m
• South Yorkshire (includes West Yorkshire funding): £31m
• Tees Valley: £10m
• West Cumbria: £1m

Robert Napier, chairman of the HCA, said:

The Pathfinders have proven that they have the power to transform their areas, removing blight and refurbishing swathes of empty properties. So I welcome Government's confirmation of this funding, which will allow us to continue our work in places where we have made important commitments to local people.

Source: Central Office of Information