These skills include a broad understanding of business orientated technology, problem solving, project management, team working and excellent communications skills.
The ICT sector has some of the most demanding employers in the UK economy, not only needing a technical specialist, but a business focussed technical specialist all wrapped up in one.
New Foundation degree provision to provide the ICT sector with the skilled workforce of the future has been strengthened and developed further by a consortium of blue chip companies and leading universities.
The employer-led qualification can be tailored to suit the requirements of individual employers and the work-based nature of the degree, together with the high level academic nature of the course, makes it an innovative addition to the education and training provision within the sector.
fdf (Foundation Degree Forward) has worked closely with high-profile partners from the ICT industry, such as The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals (ITP) and some of the UK’s leading universities to develop an employer-led programme that is designed to meet the changing needs of the dynamic ICT sector.
The consortium includes high profile private and public sector employers such as BT, EDS/HP, The Royal School of Signals, Vodafone, the NHS, RWE NPower, O2 and Orange.
The universities that have worked with to create this Fd are the Open University, Thames Valley University, University of Derby, Staffordshire University, Teesside University, Glasgow Calendonian University, University of Bath and Wiltshire College.
The Fd was officially launched at the Science Museum, London, on June 30. The aim now is to encourage other employers involved in ICT to adopt the Fd as part of their training programmes, as well as attract other HE providers to offer high-level support.
The process of developing the Fd began in late 2007 and over the past year, a detailed specification has been prepared and the accreditation process for educational institutions and companies has now begun.
The expectation of higher retention rates highlights the commercial benefits behind the Fd that developing employers recognise. The Fd specification is being tailored to reflect its ‘business ready’ goal.
As the qualification and its delivery is developed, it is hoped that the specification will continue to evolve to meet the demands of the whole sector.
It is hoped more employers and HE providers will join the consortium now that the Fd is up and running, helping the qualification evolve and providing the flexibility required by such a dynamic and diverse industry.
The ICT business landscape is changing and it is critical that the skills market changes with it.