Congratulate yourself that you're on the right track! A fraction of the population enjoy their work and find it stimulating, but a huge number just bitch about it and take no action. As you've reached this page it's probable that you're at least considering retraining, so well done to you. Now you just need to discover where you want to go and get going.

When looking at training, it's essential that you first make a list of your requirements from the job you're hoping to qualify for. You need to know that you would be more satisfied before you put a lot of energy into altering your life's plans. It's good sense to regard the end goal first, to avoid disappointment:

* Are you hoping to be involved with others in the workplace? Would that be with the same people or with a lot of new people? Possibly operating on your own in isolation could suit you better?

* What thoughts are important to you when considering the market sector you'll be employed in?

* Do you want this to be a one off time that you'll need to re-qualify?

* Are you confident that your chosen retraining can help you find employment, and will make it possible to allow you to work up to the time you want to stop?

Pay attention to Information Technology, that's our best advice - you'll find it's one of the only growing market sectors in the UK and Europe. And the salaries are much higher than most.

One fatal mistake that students everywhere can make is to concentrate on the course itself, and not focus on where they want to get to. Schools are stacked to the hilt with students who took a course because it seemed fun - instead of the program that would surely get them their end-goal of a job they enjoyed. Avoid becoming one of those unfortunate people who choose a training program that sounds really 'interesting' and 'fun' - and end up with a certification for a career they'll never really get any satisfaction from.

You'll want to understand the expectations of your industry. What precise accreditations they will want you to have and how you'll build your experience level. You should also spend a little time thinking about how far you think you'll want to get as it may force you to choose a particular set of exams. Have a chat with an experienced industry advisor that knows about the sector you're looking at, and is able to give you detailed descriptions of what you're going to be doing in that job. Getting all these things right well before you start on any retraining program will save you both time and money.

One area often overlooked by those weighing up a particular programme is the issue of 'training segmentation'. This basically means the breakdown of the materials to be delivered to you, which can make a dramatic difference to the point you end up at. Usually, you will purchase a course that takes between and 1 and 3 years and get posted one section at a time - from one exam to the next. This sounds logical on one level, until you consider this: What would their reaction be if you find it difficult to do every module at the required speed? Sometimes their preference of study order won't fit you as well as some other structure would for you.

In an ideal situation, you'd ask for every single material to be delivered immediately - so you'll have them all to come back to at any time in the future - at any time you choose. This allows a variation in the order that you move through the program where a more intuitive path can be found.

How can job security really exist anywhere now? In the UK for example, where business constantly changes its mind at alarming speeds, it seems increasingly unlikely. Wherever we find growing skills deficits together with high demand areas of course, we always discover a newly emerging type of market-security; as fuelled by the conditions of constant growth, companies find it hard to locate the staff required.

Looking at the Information Technology (IT) market, a key e-Skills analysis highlighted a 26 percent shortage in trained professionals. Showing that for every four jobs in existence throughout Information Technology (IT), there are barely three qualified workers to perform that task. This single reality in itself clearly demonstrates why the United Kingdom desperately needs many more workers to get trained and join the industry. For sure, now really is the very best time to consider retraining into Information Technology (IT).

We'd hazard a guess that you probably enjoy fairly practical work - a 'hands-on' type. Typically, the trial of reading reference books and manuals is something you'll force on yourself if you absolutely have to, but you'd hate it. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if learning from books is not your thing. We see a huge improvement in memory retention when we use multiple senses - educational experts have expounded on this for years now.

Study programs now come in disc format, so you can study at your own computer. Using video-streaming, you can watch instructors demonstrating how to perform the required skill, with some practice time to follow - via the interactive virtual lab's. It's very important to see courseware examples from the company you're considering. Be sure that they contain video, demonstrations and various interactive elements.

It is generally unwise to choose training that is only available online. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from all internet service providers, you should always obtain CD or DVD ROM based materials.

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