|
The initiative, which is partially based on a similar UK scheme called SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age), is part of the Irish Computer Society's (ICS) Skills Strategy and consists of two components, the ICS Skills Framework and the ICS Skills Cert. Essentially, the system helps businesses assess where there are gaps in employee ICT skills levels, both from a company-wide perspective and from an individual worker perspective.
Founded in 1967, the Irish Computer Society is a national organisation for information and communication technology (ICT) professionals and its mission is to promote development of ICT knowledge and skills. The group has over 1,000 members, is a nominating body for the Industrial and Commercial Panel of Seanad Eireann and is active in petitioning the government on IT issues. ICS also founded and controls ECDL Ireland.
The group's new training scheme is open to individuals and businesses and is geared toward workers of all skill levels. When judging worker skill levels under the skills framework, ICS evaluators will rank employees based on their technical ability. However, the areas in which an employee works and the worker's levels of responsibility will also be accounted for in the assessment. Once a worker's skill level is determined, participants can receive an ICS Skills Cert that offers independent verification and certification of the individual's skills profile.
Commenting on the launch of the new skills initiative, ICS Chief Executive Officer Frank Cronin said that he was confident the scheme would be replicated across Europe. He also told ElectricNews.Net that the figures derived from the ICS Skills project could also be used to lobby the government for training initiatives in specific technology skill areas. "Identifying the skills deficit in Ireland is imperative to the future of all those working in ICT and in the broader sense to the well being of the Irish economy," Cronin said.
Another important aspect of the plan stressed by Cronin was that it gives the ICT industry a single standard to assess and improve employee skill levels, a standard which he said was in high demand. "I think it will be a success, but what we need is the support of everyone in the industry," he said. Already the system has been piloted in Bank of Ireland, Fujitsu Services and the Revenue Commissioners and more than 60 people have availed of the pilot.
The Irish Computer Society said that the scheme, which has been in development for 5 years, is being adopted by a number of national organisations throughout Europe and has been endorsed by The Council of European Professional Informatics Societies and Career Space, a consortium of companies in the ICT sector.
The news of the new programme comes just days after the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland issued a new a report which suggested that one in five Irish SMEs have staff members whose limited computer skills hinder the launch of e-business initiatives.
For more information on ICS skills, visit the organisation's Web site.
|
