Learning & Development With CompTIA Certification
Published on 25/02/2025
Globally, across all sectors and industries, the immense value that can be harnessed from promoting employee learning and development (L&D) cannot be overstated.
Recently, our Product Support Specialist, Rhys Haldane, and our Apprentice Infrastructure Technician, Lewis Welch, completed and successfully passed their respective CompTIA exams. CompTIA certification is widely recognised and respected across the world of Information Technology. The learning that’s involved is designed to align with the latest technological advancements, supporting certified professionals with keeping pace with the most current industry standards.
We sat down with Lewis and Rhys and spoke about their thoughts on CompTIA certification, the importance of personal development, and how their CompTIA learning experiences have impacted them. Here’s what they had to say:
What initially led to you applying for CompTIA exams?
Lewis: “The CompTIA exams have been a crucial part of my apprenticeship. I decided to take CompTIA A+ because it equips professionals with the technical knowledge they need to thrive within the industry. I then took Cloud Essentials+ which taught me the fundamentals of the cloud from a more business-focussed perspective. CompTIA A+ is renowned for being great for those that are new to the industry and so, I saw it as a great step for me and my apprenticeship journey.”
Rhys: “CompTIA is one of the most well-known and respected certification bodies in the IT industry. I’ve always been passionate about technology and self-taught in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and various other languages like JSON. However, I never had the structured support or resources to pursue an official qualification.
Since joining SES around six months ago, I’ve had the opportunity to focus on structured learning, and the team here have been incredibly supportive in helping me develop my skills. I’ve already completed two CompTIA certifications—Cloud Essentials and Network+—which has been a great way to solidify my knowledge. CompTIA stood out to me because of its reputation for being thorough, high-quality, and internationally recognised. The certifications don’t just focus on theory but also practical, real-world applications, which makes them even more valuable. Professional accreditations are a great way to demonstrate knowledge and skills, so it’s great to be able to work towards them within a workplace setting.”
How did you find the process of studying for your respective CompTIA exams?
Lewis: “CompTIA offer a learning platform called CertMaster which was provided to me by my apprenticeship provider. It contains structured lessons and covers all the content which is listed in the syllabus. When preparing A+ certification, which requires passing two exams, I utilised Professor Messer’s videos which can be found on YouTube. Studying for my exams definitely refined my studying techniques and helped me to build discipline and the ability to concentrate effectively. Prior to joining SES, I was at college, and I remember studying for exams whilst not knowing what I wanted to do in the future. I now have a clearer vision of where I want to be and understand the relevance of CompTIA certification. This has made studying a rewarding experience.”
Rhys: “Over the years I’ve experienced different studying processes and styles. With the CompTIA exams, it was initially difficult as I hadn’t studied for an exam since university. So, the idea of structured revision and sitting an exam again was a bit daunting at first! I guess you could say that with this experience, I had to learn how to learn. That said, studying today is so much more accessible than it used to be. There are tons of online resources, video courses, practice tests, and communities that cater to different learning styles. Unlike back in school, where you had to stick to rigid methods, I could focus on approaches that actually work for me. In a way, I had to learn how to learn again, which was an interesting process in itself.”
Amongst all of the new knowledge you gained, which topics stand out to you?
Lewis: “A particular region of interest for me is the cloud. More specifically, AWS. In the present, a huge number of applications, such as games or video streaming platforms, rely on these services for their scalable, cost-effective, and redundant systems. Within the learning process, I gained a lot of new knowledge that was related to the cloud, which I found really interesting. Also, I hadn't ever thought of networking as a region of interest but after joining SES and working towards CompTIA exams, I found that I really enjoyed learning more about how networking works and the processes that it involves.”
Rhys: “When I was a kid, my dad and I used to take apart my toys to figure out how they worked. That curiosity has stuck with me—I’ve always wanted to understand what’s happening under the hood. Computers, in particular, hide so much complexity. The internet just *works*, right? But behind the scenes, there’s an intricate web of systems communicating with each other.
The part of the Network+ course that covered networking devices, their roles, and how data moves across a network was really fascinating to me. It helped turn something abstract into something tangible. Instead of just knowing that things "connect," I now have a clearer picture of *how* they do so and *why* different devices and protocols exist. Also, like Lewis, I really enjoyed what I learned about networking and the cloud. Networking has been around for as long as computers and there are so many layers behind how they work. In terms of the cloud, it’s emerging technology and our reliance on it is getting more and more pertinent. I’m really interested to see where the cloud goes as it has the ability to reduce the storage of all your devices, meaning that you can have smaller phones and lighter laptops.”
How has working towards and achieving CompTIA certification supported your personal development?
Lewis: “Working towards CompTIA exams whilst also still learning and working as an apprentice at SES Secure has given me the opportunity to strengthen my organisation skills, especially when it comes to managing my time. I think the benefits and impact of positive time management applies to many different parts of life. I'd also say that some topics within the CompTIA learning process were definitely challenging. However, through remaining proactive and optimistic, I was able to ensure that I approached these topics in the most effective and efficient way possible. These new experiences with overcoming hard obstacles are undoubtedly valuable for my personal development, both professionally and personally.
Initially, I was nervous prior to the exams but on reflection I know that this is normal and expected. My advice to those that pursue CompTIA certification is to utilise all the resources that are available and be sure to be well prepared ahead of the exams. This approach is one that I’ll be applying to any future exams that I take.”
Rhys: “It feels like I’ve reactivated a part of my brain that I hadn’t used in a long time. It’s not just about the technical knowledge—I feel more confident in my skills and the level of understanding that I’ve built up over the years.
Having certifications has also helped me communicate more effectively with colleagues and clients. I can engage in more technical discussions with greater confidence, knowing that I have a solid foundation to back up my thoughts. And beyond that, it’s just nice to have an official, recognised qualification that validates my expertise. Sometimes, when you’re self-taught, you can second-guess yourself, but having something tangible proves—to myself and others—that I do know what I’m talking about.”
Would you recommend CompTIA certification to other professionals in the IT industry?
Lewis: “I would certainly recommend CompTIA exams to those are looking to gain technical knowledge and prepare themselves for real-world situations. The exams focus on teaching relevant material and there a plenty of resources. The studying process is really interesting and engaging too.”
Rhys: “My very simple answer is yes. Whilst me and Lewis are at very different stages of our career and life, what we’ve learned from our respective CompTIA exam routes has been hugely valuable to us both. For professionals in the IT industry, CompTIA certification is not just a great, widely recognised accreditation to obtain, it’s a also a means of gaining a really meaningful learning experience.”
What does 'professional development' mean to you and how do you think you can nurture it?
Lewis: “To me, professional development is about continuously striving to learn, train, and adapt to ever changing environments and systems. I think personal development can be really enjoyable and rewarding. For example, alongside personal development within my career, I’ve also taught myself to speak Spanish to a very good level. This is something that I nurtured through being curious and embracing the countless opportunities for learning and development that are out there.”
Rhys: “Professional development is a win-win for both the employer and employee. When a company invests in an employee’s growth, it builds trust, engagement, and loyalty. And for the employee, learning new skills keeps the job interesting and rewarding.
At SES, I’ve been lucky to have the support to continue learning, and it’s made a huge difference. Being encouraged to develop professionally means I’m not just doing a job—I’m growing in my career. I think the best way to nurture professional development is to stay curious, take advantage of opportunities to learn, and find ways to apply new skills in a practical setting. It’s one thing to study, but getting hands-on experience is what really solidifies knowledge.”
Additional Resources
We hope you enjoyed this blog! For more information on the topics and themes covered, check out the following resources:
Blog - Life as an Apprentice at SES Secure
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with our team, please get in touch.