For almost all web designers, Adobe Dreamweaver is the starting point of study. It's reputed to be the most utilised web-development platform globally. Additionally, it's good practice that you gain an in-depth and thorough understanding of the full Adobe Web Creative Suite, including Flash and Action Script, to have the facility to use Dreamweaver professionally as a web designer. Having such skills can lead to becoming an ACP (Adobe Certified Professional) or an ACE (Adobe Certified Expert).

Understanding how to create the website is only the beginning. Creating traffic, content maintenance and knowledge of some programming essentials are also required. Look for training that also include these skills perhaps HTML, PHP and MySQL, in addition to E-Commerce and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) skills.

A capable and professional consultant (vs a salesperson) will ask questions and seek to comprehend your current situation. This is useful for calculating your starting point for training. Remember, if you've had any relevant previous certification, then it's not unreasonable to expect to start at a different point than a trainee with no history to speak of. It's wise to consider user-skills and software training first. Starting there can make your learning curve a much more gentle.

Usually, trainers will provide piles of reference manuals and workbooks. Obviously, this isn't much fun and not really conducive to taking things in. Where possible, if we can involve all our senses in the learning process, then the results are usually dramatically better.

Find a course where you're provided with an array of CD or DVD ROM's - you'll be learning from instructor videos and demo's, and be able to hone your abilities through virtual lab's. It makes sense to see some of the typical study materials provided before you purchase a course. Always insist on instructor demonstrations, video tutorials and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections.

Some companies only have access to just online versions of their training packages; and while this is acceptable much of the time, think what will happen if your access to the internet is broken or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. It's much safer to rely on physical CD or DVD discs which removes the issue entirely.

Be on the lookout that any accreditations you're considering doing will be commercially viable and are bang up to date. The 'in-house' certifications provided by many companies are usually worthless. All the major commercial players such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco or Adobe each have globally renowned skills courses. These heavyweights will make sure you're employable.

A service provided by many trainers is a Job Placement Assistance program. This is to steer you into your first IT role. It can happen though that this feature is bigged up too much, because it's relatively easy for any focused and well taught person to land a job in IT - as employers are keen to find appropriately skilled employees.

Advice and support about getting interviews and your CV may be available (if not, see one of our sites for help). Make sure you update that dusty old CV right away - not after you've qualified! Many junior support roles are offered to trainees who are still studying and haven't even passed a single exam yet. This will at the very least get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile. In many cases, a local IT focused employment agency (who will get paid by the employer when they've placed you) should get better results than any centralised training company's service. Also of course they should be familiar with the local area and commercial needs.

A common aggravation for some course providers is how hard people are prepared to study to pass exams, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the position they have trained for. Don't give up when the best is yet to come.