Many practitioners in the IT industry are active in technical roles across a broad range of disciplines and technologies; however, there has been no qualification for ICT (Information and Communications Technology) technicians to aspire to so that they are recognised by peers, clients and employers. In January 2009, the IET launched ICTTech, a qualification for those who can competently apply ICT skills.
Qualified technicians will be held on a new national register by the Engineering Council UK. This register of professionals is expected to provide assurance to those clients seeking technical skills. The new standard requires a technician to demonstrate breadth of awareness in their activities. This promotes innovation by ICT Technicians, an area increasingly demanded by clients. Identifying competent people for particular roles will become easier, allowing projects and services to be delivered more effectively.
An open standard skills framework is already used in many parts of the IT industry. This is SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age). In developing the standard for ICTTech, Level 3 of SFIA was used as an input and it is embedded into the supporting documentation. SFIA Level 3 can be used by ICT Technicians to understand the typical responsibility levels and working relationships that reflect the level of competence required to become ICTTech.
ICTTech not only recognises those in technical roles, but can also mark a point in career progression towards qualifications like CITP (Chartered IT Professional), built on SFIA Level 5. The IET has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the British Computer Society, hoping to be able to confer this Chartered status in future. Professionals should be able to embrace both sets of qualifications and progress in either direction as shown in the diagram below.
In areas of hardware design and manufacture, and operating system and middleware development in the computer industry, professionals typically have a strong affinity to engineering.
IT, however, is applied to business problems across all sectors, from banking to retail, as well as by governments. The professionals who work in the IT industry in these sectors employ innovation, methods and tools to enable business change.
Although there may be much in common with and derived from engineering, there are areas within the IT industry which are seen as distinct, including service management and business change. Professionals primarily have an affinity to the IT industry.
IT qualifications reach beyond engineering. They fulfill a need for those who do not consider themselves engineers and for whom engineering qualifications do not appeal.
More information:
Analysis: 'Making the ICT grade' (E&T, 31 January-13 February 2009).
www.theiet.org/icttech
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