Networking skills sit right at the centre of every modern IT career. Whether you’re completely new to the field or an experienced engineer looking to formalise your skills, choosing the right training program matters just as much as the certification itself. This guide explains why networking training is worth the investment, what actually separates a good program from a mediocre one, and which certifications are genuinely worth your time in London’s job market.
Why Networking Training Matters Right Now
Demand for skilled networking professionals keeps climbing, driven by cloud adoption, growing cybersecurity threats, and the spread of connected devices through the Internet of Things (IoT). Proper training gives you the practical ability to design, implement and manage networks that stay secure, reliable and fast, which is exactly what employers are hiring for.
What to Look for in a Networking Training Program
Before you commit to any course, run it against these criteria:
- Recognised certification. The course should lead to a credential that employers actually value, not just a certificate of attendance.
- Hands on labs. Real networking skills come from configuring real (or realistically simulated) hardware, not from slides alone.
- Instructor expertise. Look for trainers who’ve actually worked in networking roles, not just people reading from a manual.
- Flexibility. Your schedule matters. Classroom, virtual, and self paced options all have their place depending on how you learn.
- Track record. Read reviews from past students and ask how many have gone on to pass their exams and land relevant roles.
Networking Certifications Worth Pursuing
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
CCNA remains one of the most requested networking certifications in job postings, and for good reason. It covers IP connectivity, network access, automation and security fundamentals, giving you a genuinely practical foundation for configuring routers, switches and secure networks. Our CCNA course is built around exactly this, with hands on labs rather than theory alone.
CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)
Once you’ve got CCNA under your belt, CCNP is the natural next step if you want to stand out for your first networking role or move into more senior positions. Employers tend to see it as proof of genuine commitment to the field. Take a look at our CCNP training if you’re ready to go beyond associate level.
CompTIA Network+
Network+ is vendor neutral, which makes it a strong foundation regardless of which vendor’s equipment you end up working with day to day. It’s often the recommended starting point before CCNA for anyone newer to networking. Our CompTIA Network+ course covers the current N10-009 objectives with a lab driven, hands on approach, and if you want a deeper look at where this certification can take your career, see our guide to high paying networking careers with Network+.
Classroom, Virtual, or Self Paced: Which Format Suits You?
There’s no universally “best” format, only the one that suits how you actually learn and the schedule you’re working with.
- Classroom based training puts an instructor in the room with you and tends to suit people who focus better with less flexibility to get distracted.
- Virtual classrooms keep the live instructor element while letting you join from wherever suits you.
- Self paced online study works well if you’re disciplined and need to fit learning around an unpredictable schedule.
Be honest with yourself about which one you’ll actually stick with, since the best certification in the world won’t help if you don’t finish the course.
Why Train With Impact IT Training
We run hands on, instructor led networking courses across CCNA, CCNP and CompTIA Network+, with lab access built in rather than bolted on as an afterthought. Many of our students come through in sequence, starting with Network+, moving into CCNA, and building toward CCNP or a specialist networking role from there. If you’d rather follow a complete, structured route instead of picking individual courses, our Network Engineer training package and Network Security Engineer training package are built to take you from foundational networking through to job ready, with multiple certifications bundled along the way.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right networking training program comes down to recognised certifications, genuine hands on practice, and a format that fits how you actually learn. If you’re ready to get started, explore our CCNA, CCNP and Network+ courses, or get in touch and we’ll help you map out the right path for where you want your networking career to go.
FAQs
Should I start with CompTIA Network+ or go straight to CCNA?
If you’re new to networking, Network+ is usually the easier entry point since it’s vendor neutral and builds foundational concepts. CCNA assumes a bit more of that groundwork and focuses specifically on Cisco technologies.
Do I need previous IT experience before starting networking training?
No formal experience is required for Network+ or CCNA, though some hands on familiarity with computers and basic troubleshooting will make the learning curve noticeably easier.
Is classroom training better than online training?
Neither is objectively better. It comes down to how you personally focus and learn, and how much flexibility your schedule genuinely needs.
How long does it take to complete a networking certification path?
It varies by background and how much time you can dedicate each week, but most students moving from Network+ through CCNA to CCNP should expect this to unfold over several months to a year of consistent study.
