Now is an opportune time to explore a career in technology. Employers are consistently posting more job openings in the field, with IT support professionals remaining in high demand.
The shift to a hybrid workforce has played a significant role in the increase in job postings. Employers understand that by enabling some employees to work remotely, others to work on-site, and some to alternate between the two, they can improve productivity. This level of flexibility necessitates a dependable IT support team to tackle issues promptly and efficiently, regardless of where or when they arise.
Due to the evolving workforce, the IT support job function has had to adapt. The role of the tech support specialist has expanded beyond diagnosing and resolving technical issues in-person. They must now possess the ability to troubleshoot problems remotely, regardless of where the user is located.
Consequently, IT support professionals must possess a broad set of skills, including proficiency in hardware, software, and networking. The new CompTIA A+ certification validates a wider range of abilities that IT support professionals must have in today's workplace.
If you're considering a career in technology, the timing couldn't be better. Employers are eagerly seeking IT support professionals with diverse skill sets and the ability to troubleshoot issues remotely.
The growing reliance on technology in today's workforce offers a promising outlook for those pursuing a career in the industry. The CompTIA A+ certification is an excellent starting point for those looking to gain entry into the field or advance their existing career.
What Is CompTIA A+ Certification?
Let's get this party started. CompTIA A+ is a vendor-neutral IT certification that evaluates applicants' knowledge of various fundamental technologies, including cybersecurity, networking, virtualization, etc. Vendor agnostic means you'll demonstrate mastery of different topics that can be applied to multiple vendors or platforms.
This certification is for an entry-level IT professional with at least 12 months of hands-on experience working as a help desk support technician, desktop support technician, or field service technician.
What career can I start with CompTIA A+?
CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for establishing IT professions in today's digital environment. IT support is an excellent method to get started in a technology career for two reasons:
You'll figure out the aspects of technology you enjoy and perhaps wish to specialize in.
You'll be exposed to a wide range of technologies and concepts.
The following Career path aligns with CompTIA A+
Tier I support specialist
Systems support technician
Help desk technician
IT support specialist
Junior systems administrator
Desktop support specialist
Field technician
Associate network engineer
Troubleshooting is the focus of entry-level IT jobs. Employees are expected to identify an issue, possess the necessary knowledge to solve it, and then publish their findings professionally and suitably. CompTIA A+ assures that certified individuals can rapidly and effectively repair software and hardware.
If you want to pursue career paths in IT or improve your knowledge in CompTIA A+ with GemRain Consulting, our trainers are ready to assist you. Don't hesitate to contact us and get more info on the courses that we have.
Updated CompTIA A+ Exam
The updated CompTIA A+ Core Series (220-1101 and 220-1102) demonstrate basic virtualization knowledge, scripting, and cloud, perform basic cybersecurity mitigations, validate the skills needed to install and configure end-user devices and software, connect devices to networks, and troubleshoot common problems to diagnose and resolve issues.
The CompTIA A+ tests cover the following nine domains throughout both exams:
220-1101 | | 220-1102 | |
Virtualization and Cloud Computing | 11% | Operational Procedures | 22% |
Mobile Devices | 15% | Software Troubleshooting | 22% |
Networking | 20% | Security | 25% |
Hardware | 25% | Operating Systems | 31% |
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting | 29% | | |
What are the skills that the new CompTIA A+ concentrates on?
The new A+ focuses more on the technology and abilities that IT professionals need to support a hybrid workforce, such as:
Major operating systems, their use cases, and how to keep them running correctly
The changing nature of the job role, where many tasks are sent to specialized providers
Increased reliance on software as a service (SaaS) applications for remote work
A focus on changing core technologies from cloud virtualization and internet of things (IoT) device security to data management and scripting
A focus on troubleshooting and how to remotely diagnose and correct common software, hardware, or connectivity problems
Let's look at each of these skill sets in more detail.
Major Operating Systems
CompTIA A+ covers the major operating systems, their use cases, and how to keep them functioning effectively, which technicians encounter regularly. Earning a vendor-neutral certification can help in this situation. When you study for the CompTIA A+ certification, you'll have the chance to learn about all of them, including Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and Chrome OS.
When to Escalate Issues to Providers
Many tasks are being delegated to specialist vendors. Certified people can determine whether it is better to fix anything on-site or save time and money by directly delivering proprietary technologies to vendors. This complicates troubleshooting and necessitates IT professionals' knowledge of a wide range of software and hardware components to make that decision.
Employers can also be confident that CompTIA A+-certified individuals have a security-first approach and a strong set of professional capabilities.
SaaS Models and Applications
IT professionals who support a hybrid workforce must be familiar with various SaaS models and applications. For example, suppose a user reports that Outlook isn't working. In that case, you must first determine which version of the application they are running, then troubleshoot and either fix or escalate the problem.
Changing Core Technologies
Because these technologies are becoming more prevalent in the industry, the new CompTIA A+ focuses on cloud solutions, IoT device security, data management, and scripting. Consider smart home equipment, for example. Your washer and dryer, thermostat, and even kitchen appliances might all be connected to your network, and someone has to handle those devices.
How to Troubleshoot Remotely
Because these technologies are becoming more prevalent in the industry, the new CompTIA A+ focuses on cloud solutions, IoT device security, data management, and scripting. Consider smart home equipment, for example. Your washer and dryer, thermostat, and even kitchen appliances might all be connected to your network, and someone has to handle those devices.
