Introduction to the Award:

This Professional Development Award (PDA) is one of a suite which was designed to incorporate the knowledge and understanding required by popular Vendors’ Neutral award into SQA’s Higher National frameworks.

Course Introduction:

The PDA in Network Technology is an eight-credit PDA which covers the knowledge and understanding associated with the Cisco CCNA Program and would be attractive to candidates who were looking for a position as a network engineer/administrator, or candidates who needed to verify their existing skills in network engineering for progression within an organisation.

Prerequisites:

No Prerequisite as per Cisco guidelines;

• It would be advisable for all candidates to have some prior knowledge of computing or information technology although formal qualifications may not be necessary if suitable experience had been gained informally or through work experience.
• Mature candidates with suitable work experience may be accepted for entry
• Different combinations of relevant National Qualifications, Vocational Qualifications and equivalent qualifications from other awarding bodies may also be acceptable, as would suitable vendor qualifications at an appropriate level.

SQA Framework:

The PDA Network Technology Cisco program also offers a number of shorter curricula which are related to SQA HN Units. These are also assessed by means of restricted response questions and practical labs and so can give credit transfer to complete units.

Course Objectives

• Candidates will acquire 64 SCQF credit which can be utilised to get exemptions towards HND Networking or any course which has a combination of all four existing units in this PDA qualification.
• Candidates who successfully completed this PDA would have the knowledge and skills required to sit for the CCNA exams with slight more study.

Vendors Neutral Exams and Progression Routes:

Vendors Neutral Exams Certifications & Recommended Training

SQA Exam:

Why Get Certified:

With IT job openings being created faster than trained people can be found to fill them, IT certification is the best way to open the door to a higher salary, more opportunities and career fulfilment.

Trained and certified IT professionals are needed worldwide.

More IT professionals are getting certified than ever before because IT certifications:

• Validate your knowledge and skills
• Help you remain competitive and employable
• Give you job proficiency more quickly
• Show dedication to your career

Target Audiences:

The IT training classes which we are currently offering are suitable for a wide range of candidates including:

• School leavers
• Adult returnees to education
• Individuals who intend to leave school and further their career path in a college or equivalent
• Individuals who are in employment and wish to enhance their career prospects
• Individuals who wish to start a new career in IT
• Individuals who wants to get promotion at work
• Individuals who wants to upgrade in their IT skills
• Individuals who intend to progress their career after the study of either the NQ in Computing, the NQ in Information Systems
• Individuals who intend to progress their career after the study of the PDA into further study at HN level
• Individuals who wish to study on a part-time (day or evening) or day-release mode

Classes Duration & Course Delivery:

This course will be delivered 1day a week, 7 hours a week, one full classroom.

4 months in total plus mock exam (2weeks), Week Day, & Weekend classes.

Learning Modes:

ITPT is currently providing different method of learning opportunities to students. Many people are looking for learning diversity to enhance their qualifications, but they don’t have the time to take on full-time instructor led study or attending courses regularly at their appropriate venues.

Career Opportunities/ Job Roles

• Network Engineer
• Systems Engineer
• Technical Support Engineer
• Network Support Engineer/Technician
• Desktop Support Engineer/Technician
• Network Helpdesk Operator
• Network Security Associate
• Network Technical Support Specialist
• Network Help Desk Technician
• Network Field Service Technician
• Network Administrator
• Network Support Specialist

5 Reasons You Should Get this Certification:

• You’ll earn a higher salary
• Cisco CCNA is globally recognized
• It gives you a competitive edge
• You’ll get more opportunities
• Your skills will be universal.

What would you learn at the end course completion?

At the end of the award candidates will be able to:

1. Network Fundamentals
2. LAN Switching Technologies
3. Routing Technologies
4. WAN Technologies
5. Infrastructure Services
6. Infrastructure Security
7. Infrastructure Management

Application Process:

You will be expected to attend an interview with a member of the course team. There will be a basic networking aptitude test to observe your understanding of this course.

Funding Available:

Course Funding: SAAS PTFG: Scottish Awards Agency for Scotland

This course is funded by SAAS part time funding which is available to eligible individuals only;
SAAS General funding eligibility requirement:

1. You have to be a resident of Scotland
2. Either employed or unemployed, if working then earning must be less/equals to 25k a year
3. Have not used the SAAS funding in this Academic Year.

Other criteria:

• Students do not need to pay it back as this is a grant not a loan.
• This funding is different from the full time funding which can be applied by someone who previously granted for a degree, postgrad or any other full time studies (HNC/HND) etc. but not in a same session.
• Part time funding cannot be received on a same session if one is already receiving any part/full time funding for other courses.
• Part Time funding can only be used for one course per academic year
• SAAS part time funding academic year starts from Aug to July.

For more information please visit the below link

www.saas.gov.uk/_forms/funding_guide.pdf

To check your eligibility:

Please follow the below link to check if you qualify for the course funding;

www.saas.gov.uk/part-time/undergraduate-funding

Self Funding

If you do not qualify for SAAS part-time funding, you have the option to self-fund the course.

Fees are payable in advance at the start of the course unless otherwise agreed.

We also provide flexible fee installments to help students in paying their fees.

There are a number of other funding opportunities available to UK and EU students to help them to pay for their studies. Contact the college for more details.