To become a proficient web designer with the right credentials for the job market today, you should find training in Adobe Dreamweaver. The full Adobe Web Creative Suite additionally should be learned in detail. Doing this will familiarise you in Action Script and Flash, amongst others, and means you'll be in a position to take your ACP (Adobe Certified Professional) or an ACE (Adobe Certified Expert) qualification.

In order to become a web designer of professional repute however, you'll have to get more diverse knowledge. You will need to learn certain programming skills like HTML, PHP and database engines like MySQL. A firm grounding in SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and E-Commerce will also improve your CV and employability.

Chat with any capable advisor and we'd be amazed if they couldn't provide you with many awful tales of students who've been conned by dodgy salespeople. Only deal with someone who asks some in-depth questions to uncover the best thing for you - not for their retirement-fund! Dig until you find an ideal starting-point that fits you. If you have a strong background, or perhaps a bit of commercial experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it's more than likely your starting point will be different from someone who is just starting out. Starting with a foundation module first will sometimes be the most effective way to get up and running on your IT programme, depending on your skill level at the moment.

A sneaky way that training companies make extra profits is by charging for exams up-front and then including an 'Exam Guarantee'. This looks like a great idea for the student, until you think it through:

Certainly it's not free - you're still paying for it - it's just been included in your package price. For those who want to pass first time, then the most successful route is to pay for each exam as you go, give it the necessary attention and be ready for the task.

Hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the appropriate time, and hang on to your cash. You also get more choice of where you do the examinations - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. Is there a good reason to pay interest on a bigger loan than is necessary because you've paid early for exams when there was no need to? A great deal of money is made because training colleges are getting money in early for exam fees - and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. Also, 'Exam Guarantees' often aren't worth the paper they're written on. Most companies will not pay for you to re-take until you're able to demonstrate an excellent mock pass rate.

Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on an 'Exam Guarantee' is foolish - when hard work, commitment and the right preparation via exam simulations is what will really guarantee success.

Most people don't even think to ask about a painfully important area - the way their training provider breaks up the courseware, and into how many parts. Trainees may consider it sensible (with training often lasting 2 or 3 years to pass all the required exams,) for a training company to release the courseware in stages, as you pass each element. But: It's not unusual for trainees to realise that the trainer's 'standard' path of training isn't the easiest way for them. They might find a different order of study is more expedient. And what happens if they don't finish at the pace they expect?

To be in the best situation you would have all your study materials sent to your address right at the beginning; the whole caboodle! Thus avoiding any future problems that could impede your progress.

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