Qualifications that meet the needs of Industry:
UK Case Study
Jim Levi
Regional Education Manager
Microsoft Central & Eastern Europe HQ
21st March 2006
St. Petersburg
Foreword – Acronyms & Background
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DfES – Department for Education & Skills (Education Ministry)
DTI – Department of Trade and Industry
LSC – Learning & Skills Council
QCA – Qualifications & Curriculum Authority
RDA – Regional Development Agency
NQF – National Qualifications Framework
NVQ – National Vocational Qualification
Sector Skills Councils – e.g. e-Skills
Awarding Bodies – e.g. OCR
SME – Small & Medium Enterprise
Context: DfES 5 Year Strategy for Children and
Learners
The result will be a nation where:
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every child gets the best possible start in life – with integrated services focused on the needs of parents and children, not
chopped up according to provider;
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every primary school offers high standards in the basics, but in the context of a broad, rich and enjoyable curriculum;
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every secondary school offers excellent teaching, an exciting curriculum, and a positive and attractive environment;
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all schools are extended schools; community schools; healthy schools; inclusive schools; and enterprising schools (with
real links to business);
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at 14-19, every young person has a pathway to suit them that fits them for work, further learning, and for life as an adult;
and a wide range of activities outside school or college to enjoy and take part in;
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every child and young person who is in difficult circumstances gets the extra support they need without stigma;
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adult learners can all get and build the skills they need for success in employment – because employers are in the lead
in designing and delivering training, working with highly responsive colleges;
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our nation benefits from a thriving university system that gives excellent teaching to all with the potential to benefit; which
provides the nation with world-class research capability; and which works with business to provide the skills the nation
most needs and to translate research into innovation effectively.
And where:
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the parts of the system are (and are seen as being) interlinked and interdependent – not just because each builds on the
last (with primary schools dependent on effective early years education, secondary schools dependent on primary
schools and so on) but in much more creative and dynamic ways – with business involved in designing employability
skills education right from 11; with universities designing schemes for students in schools that both help with their
outreach and give new experiences to children; with schools and colleges working together to offer routes from 14; with
adult learning and childcare delivered together; with children’s services and education seen as part of one whole;
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the learner is a partner in learning, not a passive recipient – and this means that (especially as they grow older, leaving
compulsory education) they have a stake in and a responsibility for their own learning;
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adult learners, employers and the wider community contribute to the education system and to children’s services so that
they can get more out of them, and can shape them to meet their needs and the needs of the nation.
Changing nature of work - ICT
Lifetime employment is over
Stable employment at large
corporations is gone
The average career will
most likely encompass two
or there “occupations” and a
half-dozen or more
employers
Most of us will spend
sustained periods of our
career in some form of self
employment
Work is increasingly represented electronically
– So skills are essential
Does Business Desktop Skill Development
Matter?
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Broad Economic Relevance
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UK Employment:
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67% regularly use Word Processing software;
62% use spreadsheets and databases;
and over half use calendar and scheduling software.
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Fluency in business desktop software is crucial to individual and
organisational success in a variety of industries and pursuits
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everywhere?
National Skills Strategy
Vendor Qualifications
In sectors such as IT;
• the certificates offered by companies to recognise proficiency in using
their products are highly valued.
Microsoft Academy and Qualifications
• The best of those certificates should be recognised in the National
Qualifications Framework.
• A unit-based approach will offer greater opportunities to incorporate high
quality vendor and employer qualifications or units into the national
framework
Source:
DfES National Skills Strategy White Paper, 9th July 2003,
Section 5.37 d. Page 83
Why Certification?
Productivity
Certified staff are more productive and
effective
Efficient
management
Provides a reliable benchmark for hiring
talented staff
Identify
skills
Ensures technical competency and identifies
advanced skills and focus areas
Increase
Credibility
Certification is excepted and recognised by
the ICT industry
Microsoft Offer
Trained
Qualifications workforc
e
Global
networks
Links to
the
community
For students…
Instant
Free
CPD
curriculum
Life-ready
learning
Model
For
Educationalists
Forresources
lecturers… for
all
Support
for local
provider
s
Accreditation
Workready
For businesses…
Leading
edge
status &
innovation
grants
How it all fits together
Quality Assurance & Access
QCA
Awarding Body links
National Qualifications Framework
Funding channels
Innovative Teachers
Programme
Extending the use of ICT
Management of the learning cycle
Class Server
Learning Gateway
Instructor
Learning Materials
Microsoft IT Academy
Programme
ITProfessionals
IT Users
Students
In School, College or
University
Teachers
Non teaching Staff
Community ITN
e-materials
development
Students:
Remote
In-centre
Both
Interactive
Hardcopy
Both
Assessment
On-line
Marked
Evidence
Electronic
Hardcopy
Workforce Development
Apprenticeships
ITQ
Microsoft Qualifications
National Qualifications Framework
ACADEMIC
QUALIFICATIONS
Level 4
Level 3
First degree
AS/A Level
VOCATIONALLY RELATED
QUALIFICATIONS
OCCUPATIONAL
QUALIFICATIONS
Level 4 for IT Practitioners
NVQ Level 4
Level 3 Advanced Diploma for IT Users
Level 3Advanced Diploma for IT
Practitioners
Foundation degree
NVQ Level 3
Microsoft Certifications
MCSE
Office Expert
MCP
CREATING PROFICIENCY
MCDST
Level 2 Diploma for IT Users
Level 2 Diploma for IT Practitioners
Level 2
GCSE Grades
A* - C
NVQ Level 2
Office Specialist
INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY
Level 1 Certificate for IT Users
Level 1
GCSE Grades D - G
NVQ Level 1
CONFIDENCE BUILDING
IC3
Digital Literacy
Opportunities for Students
Today’s digital students think of information and
communications technology (ICT) as something akin to
oxygen:
They expect it, it’s what they breathe, and it’s how they
live;
They use ICT to meet, play, date, and learn;
It’s an integral part of their social life;
It’s how they acknowledge each other and form their
personal identities
Its also what industry wants!
What it means to the students
• Opportunity to gain valuable skills and certification while
they are educated (curriculum development)
• “Work ready” at the end of Education
• Time and money saving to them
• Motivation is higher
• User / Technician / Professional
Opportunities for Workforce
Development
Digital Literacy
• 7 Million people are without basic Digital Literacy skills
• Government has agreed ICT is the 4th basic skill
• No age barriers
• Opportunities to offer Digital Literacy (IC3) programmes to
employers through the Microsoft IT Academy
• Attracts funding through Section 96 and Section 97 (DfES funding
for approved external qualifications for individuals under 19 and
over 19 years old)
Desktop Applications – ICT User Level 2 & 3
• Government target 2 million by 2010
• Relevant to all industries - including SMEs
• SME market seen as the key economic development area for
RDAs and LSCs
• Year on year Government under-spend on skills development for
SMEs
• IT Academy offers anywhere, anytime, flexible learning.
ICT Support & Practitioners – Level 2-4 &
beyond
• Demand for helpdesk and desktop support in schools, colleges
and SMEs
• Microsoft IT Academy finding demand for;• MCDST (L2) – Helpdesk
• MCSA (L3) - In-house IS systems support
• MCSE (L4) - High level support professionals
Strategic National Partnerships
Microsoft supporting ITQ
Opportunity for 120 points
Level Two (100 Points)
Mandatory Unit (25)
Word Processing
Software (20)
Spreadsheet
Software (20)
Microsoft Word
Core
Microsoft Excel
Core
Presentation
Software (20)
Microsoft
PowerPoint Core
Database Software
(20)
Microsoft Access
Core
Email (15)
Microsoft Outlook
Core
e-Quals and Microsoft
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We've worked closely with Microsoft to incorporate their equivalent units into e-Quals.
This will give your learners the chance to add both e-Quals and a Microsoft qualifications to their CV.
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To take advantage of this arrangement you must be:
A City & Guilds centre approved to offer the relevant e-Quals assessments
A Microsoft Academy
How does the partnership work?
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At level 1 we have incorporated the IC3 units into the Certificate for IT users.
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Which means that if your learners pass the IC3 test, City & Guilds will accept that as proof of their skills in
that area. They won't have to do the equivalent e-Quals assessment.
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At levels 2 and 3 we have embedded the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) tests into e-Quals.
Core unit
Level 1 - Certificate for IT Users
001
IT principles (Core)
011
Computing Fundamentals
(Core)
Optional units
For the award of a full certificate,
candidates must successfully complete
the assessments for one core unit plus
two optional units. Candidates will also
receive a certificate for each individual
unit achieved.
002
Word Processing
003
Spreadsheets
004
Databases
005
Using the Internet
006
Presentation Graphics
007
E-Mail
008
Desk Top Publishing
012
Key IT Applications
013
Living Online
Scheme Handbook
Certificate for IT Users - Scheme
Handbook
The OCR CLAIT Suite offers qualifications at three levels.
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Level 1 builds confidence
Level 2 increases learner productivity
Level 3 creates high levels of proficiency.
Major benefits for Centres include:
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Free Centre-approval means lower running costs
Incorporation of optional IC3 & Microsoft Office Specialist units allows you to offer more
flexibility and choice
Administration reduced as IC3 & Microsoft Office Specialist units are assessed online
Fast results turnaround due to online marking
Free briefing events offered across the country
Free marketing support once approved
Funding
e-Quals & CLAIT meet all of the criteria required to attract funding
Full Qualifications and discrete Units are NQF Approved
L1 Certificate for IT Users (IC3)
L2 Certificate for IT Users (MOS)
Listed on Section 96 & Section 97
Appropriate for delivery to Age Groups Pre-16, 16-18, 18+
APPROVAL AND FUNDING
IC3 units have been fully accredited by QCA at level 1,
embedded into New CLAIT & e-Quals qualification within
the National Qualifications Framework and as such are
eligible for funding.
What is DiDA?
DiDA is the Diploma in Digital Applications, a suite of three paperless qualifications from Edexcel
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focuses on the practical application of technology.
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designed to stimulate students’ creativity and develop real-world, practical skills...
DiDA qualifications prepare students for the real world of work or further education.
The suite of DiDA qualifications is designed to:
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develop students’ ability to select and use digital applications appropriately and produce high quality outcomes;
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promote the use of digital applications for achieving a goal, rather than for their own sake;
enhance creativity and communication;
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equip students with some of the skills that they will need in the workplace or in further education or training;
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develop project management skills;
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free students’ work from paper, making it organised, searchable, dynamic and transportable;
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and encourage students to reflect critically on their own and others’ use of digital applications.
DiDA is a revolutionary new suite of ICT qualifications launched by Edexcel in 2005.
Relevant and focused.
DiDA focuses on ICT as a
powerful tool for real-life use.
Exciting and motivating.
The qualification is paperless. It
promotes creative use of
applications, and its real-life, goal
orientated emphasis is involving
and stimulating.
Flexible and futureproofed.
Key Applications
DiDA’s structure means it can be
taught as a discrete subject or in a
cross-curricular context
How it Fits
Microsoft
(Supported)
Awarding Bodies
NQF Level
SPECIALISATION
Master
Level 3
CAREER
ADVANCEMENT
Expert
Level 2
SPECIALISATION
Core
CAREER
ENABLEMENT
Level 1
Strategic Regional Partnerships
Regional Development Agencies
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Signed MOU - Yorkshire Forward
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NWDA - negotiating MOU
LDA - negotiating MOU
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SEEDA – discussions underway
How it all fits together - Reprise
Quality Assurance & Access
QCA
Awarding Body links
National Qualifications Framework
Funding channels
Innovative Teachers
Programme
Extending the use of ICT
Management of the learning cycle
Class Server
Learning Gateway
Instructor
Learning Materials
Microsoft IT Academy
Programme
ITProfessionals
IT Users
Students
In School, College or
University
Teachers
Non teaching Staff
Community ITN
e-materials
development
Students:
Remote
In-centre
Both
Interactive
Hardcopy
Both
Assessment
On-line
Marked
Evidence
Electronic
Hardcopy
Workforce Development
Apprenticeships
ITQ
Thank you for listening
Questions?