What training is required to become a network administrator?

Did you know that there's been an IT shortage since the pandemic? Yes! Now's the time to get started in IT, so here's what training you need to become a network administrator.

With the start of the school year fast approaching, we wanted to highlight the training options available for working in IT, in a company like ours! That's why we decided to collaborate with LaSalle College in Montreal. We had the opportunity to speak with David Cadieux, Technology Program Coordinator.

Located in downtown Montreal, LaSalle College offers vocational, college, and pre-university training in a variety of fields, including computer science. It offers DEC (Diplôme d'Études Collégiales) and AEC (Attestation d'Études Collégiale) degrees, allowing students to specialize in various areas of IT , including network management and security, programming, and Cisco and Microsoft network administrators.

So what training should you take to become a network administrator?

The most relevant training for this job is the DEC in Computer Technology, Network Management and Security . This training, which is often completed in 3 years (6 sessions), also has the advantage of allowing students to obtain several certifications recognized by employers: CISCO (CCNA and CCNP), CompTIA (A+), Microsoft (MCSA) and LPIC. At Nexxo, for example, we greatly appreciate candidates with the CCNA certification; it is a good gateway to the workplace because it gives credibility to the student's profile.

To be admitted to this DEC, you will need a high school diploma with courses related to the desired training or an equivalent. This training is intended for students who still have very little knowledge in the field. The courses given during the DEC are theoretical but also practical, the objective being for students to get their hands dirty right away in order to develop solid skills. These trainings also allow for an internship to put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired during the 3 years.
Also, obtaining the DEC allows the student to continue their studies at university if they wish. For example, they can integrate a bachelor's degree in computer science and software engineering at UQAM.

In comparison, to be admitted to one of the AECs, you will need to have knowledge deemed sufficient by the college and meet one of the following 4 conditions:

• Have interrupted studies for at least 2 consecutive sessions or 1 school year.
• Be covered by an agreement concluded between the College and an employer or by a government program.
• Have completed at least 1 year of post-secondary education spread over a period of 1 year or more.
• Be admitted on the basis of professional experience: you must have interrupted your full-time studies for at least 36 months.

Indeed, the AEC allows students to specialize in a specific sector or fill gaps that will boost their CV. They can be completed as quickly as 3 months but can extend over 2 years if necessary.

These are therefore different training courses which correspond to different needs and with different learning objectives.

What skills will be developed?

One of the goals of these training programs is, of course, to develop skills suited to the professional IT environment. These include: problem-solving,
creativity, teamwork, and customer-centric approach, among others.
David explains, “The development of training programs is always done in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and industry representatives, which ensures that graduates' skills are aligned with the needs of the workplace.”

LaSalle College also regularly updates its training programs to keep up with technological developments and ensure that students have all the tools they need. But above all, this is to ensure that future professionals have the skills needed for a constantly evolving world of work. At the same time, the college also regularly conducts comprehensive reviews to ensure rigorous quality control. Finally, new training programs are regularly developed to reflect technological innovations.

The ideal profile of a computer science student

Now you know the path to follow and the skills you'll need to develop to work in IT. You're probably wondering if this field is right for you. David tells us about the ideal profile of a future IT student:

“He's a self-starter who's problem-solving oriented. He's detail-oriented and works well in a team. We often have the image of a lone programmer; the reality is completely opposite.”

Working in IT means working in a team, contrary to what you might think. But at the same time, it also means being autonomous enough to organize yourself, having a good ability to analyze a situation, to reason and to solve problems independently.

In summary

So there are several possible paths to becoming a network administrator... and if you realize that the network administrator profession isn't right for you during the training, don't panic. The IT sector is constantly evolving, hundreds of different professions are available to you and new ones are appearing regularly!
Want to take it to the next level? We will soon publish an article about the key skills to become an IT entrepreneur!

A big thank you to David Cadieux and LaSalle College for this collaboration!

About Nexxo

Nexxo Computer Solutions specializes in providing IT and technology services to Quebec businesses. Its mission is to offer Quebec companies IT services tailored to their needs. Acting as an external IT department, it handles all of a company's IT tasks, allowing it to focus on its business activities. It achieves this by collaborating closely with its clients and putting their interests at the center of its concerns.