This program prepares students to deal with the problems they may encounter when servicing Personal Computers. It provides in-depth knowledge of computer hardware. Students will have practical hands-on experience in troubleshooting computer problems and assembling a computer. This program prepares students for the CompTIA A+ Certification with IT Technician Designation exams.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program will find opportunities working as bench technicians for small to medium sized PC or electronics companies as well as large PC related manufacturing operations. They may also find positions in computer sales and service. After some experience, they may wish to open their own computer repair service.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive technical skills relating to maintenance and repair of PC hardware.
• Understanding design and application of PC software and operating systems.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are prepared for career opportunities with computer hardware manufacturers and retailers, software manufacturers, call centres, and information technology departments throughout the private and public sectors. Job opportunities often exist within the technical support departments of large companies within the insurance, financial, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications industries. Careers that correspond with the skills learned in this program include:

• Computer Help Desk Representative
• Help Desk Support Analyst
• Help Desk Technician
• Software Technical Support Analyst
• Systems Technical Support Analyst
• User Support Technician

Duties & Responsibilities

Individuals working in a Help Desk Support Analyst role provides first-line technical support to computer users experiencing difficulties with computer hardware, computer applications, and communications software. Their duties may include:

• Communicating electronically and in person with computer users experiencing difficulties to determine, document, and resolve problems experienced.
• Consulting user guides, technical manuals, and other documents to research and implement solutions.
• Providing advice and training to users in response to identified difficulties.
• Supporting users to install Windows desktop operating systems.
• Managing and troubleshooting access to computer resources.

Career Opportunities

Recent studies indicate that strong growth in IT jobs, especially for skilled Computer and Network Operators, are expected over the next few years. Careers that correspond with the skills learned in this program include:

• Hardware Installation Coordinator
• Local Area Network (LAN) Administrator
• Local Area Network (LAN) Technician
• Network Administrator
• Network Operator
• Network Support Technician

Duties & Responsibilities

• Providing day-to-day onsite administrative support for software users in a variety of work environments, including professional offices, small businesses, government, and corporations.
• Maintaining, troubleshooting, and administering the use of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), hardware, software and related computer equipment.
• Monitoring and implementing network activities.
• Designing and configuring networks, recommending purchases of application servers, peripherals, and software.
• Evaluating and installing computer hardware, networking software, and operating system software.
• Providing problem solving services to network users.
• Performing data backups and disaster recovery operations

This program prepares students to deal with the problems they may encounter when supporting Personal Computers in an office environment. It provides in-depth knowledge of both computer hardware and software and prepares students for the CompTIA A+ Certification with IT Technician Designation exams. Students will have practical hands-on experience in troubleshooting computer problems and assembling a computer.Successful students may choose to progress to advanced qualifications such as MCSE or MCSA, which are in high demand.

Career Opportunities

Skilled PC Support Specialists are in high demand in today’s highly skilled environment. Virtually all organizations with multiple computers require the skills of PC Support Specialists who can become invaluable members of a management team.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Providing technical support within small to medium sized offices.
• Troubleshooting hardware and software problems.
• Replacing and installing new computer hardware.
• Keeping up-to-date on new trends in personal computing.
• Must be proficient in all aspects of computer software applications and operating systems.
• Must have in-depth knowledge of how computer systems work.