ICT Management > Training

Choosing the right computer training

By Jane McCauley

There is a large amount of computer training out there. This article outlines popular computer training qualifications and signposts to sources of further information.

It’s important to be clear about what you want to do with a computer before thinking about what training you will need, and then you can think about whether you need a qualification.  The main reason to get a qualification is for personal or professional development.  A qualification may mean a job promotion or it may reflect that your job is changing and that you need new skills.

Many people are self taught in computing these days, learning things by experience, from books, the internet or what they pick up from their colleagues.  For many people this is enough to get by but if you need to use a particular package in your job or you have become the office trouble shooter (accidental techie) when things go wrong and you don’t feel confident with the skills you already have then you need to look at getting some formal training.

Do you need a qualification?

Formal or Informal?

Informal training where users just learn about a certain package definitely has a important part to play in gaining the skills you need in your work.  Local training providers will have information on their websites and/or an extensive booklet listing what they have on offer. They cover most things and are always on the look out for new courses to run that are in demand – and they don’t know they are in demand if you don’t contact them!

Training does not have to lead to a qualification. Short courses where you gain further skills in a particular package are beneficial in the workplace. A lot of them deliver a basic ‘Maintaining your PC’ course that would show you the basics of looking after a stand alone PC or MAC, for example (a stand alone computer is one that isn’t hooked up to a network). 

If you decide you do need a qualification then take a good look at what’s on offer. Don’t do a course or qualification simply because it’s what you have heard of and it seems to be the one that everyone’s doing – make sure it covers what you need in the depth you need it.

The popular qualifications

This section looks at some of the most popular qualifications that are around today and shows you how you can find out more about them.  It is by no means an exhaustive list.  If what you want is not listed here contact your local training provider to see what they have on offer at present.

OCR CLAiT

The OCR CLAiT qualification covers the common applications and is delivered at 3 levels – beginner, intermediate (called CLAiT Plus) and advanced.  It can be tailored to what you need with the Certificate covering 3 applications and the Diploma covering 5.  You can chose which 3 or 5 applications you want to cover to achieve it, giving you the chance to make sure you cover what you need in your workplace.

City and Guilds E-Quals for the IT User

This qualification is for both the user and the technician depending on what route you go down.  The City and Guilds E-Quals qualification is very similar to CLAiT for the IT User.  C & G call the 3 levels Certificate, Diploma and Advanced.  You can choose which applications to cover, making it a flexible option for you.

Microsoft Office Specialist - ‘MOS’

The Microsoft Office Specialist qualification is well recognised by employers.  You can study the MS Office applications at core and expert levels.  Many of the bigger awarding bodies have an agreement with MS to allow their units to be used in gaining accreditation of the qualifications – like CLAiT and E-Quals for example.  The main benefit of taking a MS qualification is that you can study the version you work with.

European Computer Driving License – ECDL

The ECDL is a qualification that is accepted all over Europe.  It concentrates on how you can use a computer.  It is made up of 7 units and you need to pass them all in order to qualify.  You can take them in whatever order you choose and you can take up to 3 years to complete it, but most training providers will expect you to have completed it within 1 year of part time study.  You can study for and gain single units as well and this may be a preferable option if you don’t need all the applications knowledge.

Visit the website for a list of Training Providers that are ECDL accredited.

National Open College Network - NOCN

The NOCN has various unique qualification titles that often originate in local areas.  Take a look at their list of qualifications and see whether they have something that may be tailored to what you need.

E-Skills; OCR, City and Guilds and others ‘ITQ – NVQ for IT Users’

The ITQ is the new IT NVQ for users.  National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) have to be delivered in the workplace and are generally supported at a local college.  Your employer has to have complete buy in and you need to have an ‘expert witness’ at your place of work.  These expert witnesses can verify that you have achieved a certain task to the required level of competence. It can be gained at 3 levels and you have to gain a certain number of points for each level.

You don’t have to study all of your units at that level.  For example studying for level 2 you need 100 points and this could be made up as follows:

• Make selective use of IT - mandatory unit (25 points)
• IT Trouble Shooting for users – level 2 (5 points)
• Word Processing and Database Software -  level 2 at (20 points each)
• Website and Presentation software - level 1 (10 points each)

If you need some applications more than others but do need to know a bit about them all then this could be a good option for you.  NVQ’s do require a lot of discipline in organising yourself though and you need to get total agreement from the organisation you work for as they can sometimes be disruptive in order to get the evidence needed.

List of ITQ Training Providers

Technician / Network Administrator Qualifications

City and Guilds E-Quals for the IT Professional

The IT Professional route includes modules on Software developer, Systems testing, Programming and Networking.  City & Guilds provide qualifications on a number of technical topics.

The E-Quals website gives information on where this training is available.

Microsoft ‘MCSE’

The MCSE is the most recognized IT Professional’s qualification.  You need to have been supporting an administrator for a year before taking it as you need fairly advanced skills to take it.  Contact your local training provider to find out more about the certificate and what pre-requisites are needed.  MCSE training can be very expensive.

There is a list of providers on the above website.

Linux Certified Open Programme

Linux is an open source operating system for servers and desktops. Usage is growing, including within the non-profit sector, and a trained work force to support it will be needed in the near future.  The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) is set up to support such qualifications.  The qualifications are being validated at present so keep a watch on this website if you are interested in them.

See Linux Certification FAQs for more information. Some Training Providers such as QA-IQ provide a range of Linix courses (with discount for NCVO members)

The ICT Hub is working with the LPI at present to develop a qualification suited to the voluntary sector, it is called the Free and Open Source Knowledge (FOSK) and you can find more information about it on the FOSK wiki

Discounted Training for the voluntary sector

There are a number of training providers who offer discounted training for the voluntary sector.  Some are in the ICT Hub Suppliers Directory.

Summary

• Training can be formal or informal and not necessarily lead to a qualification
• The main reasons for taking a qualification are to gain recognition in your workplace, to gain new skills for personal and professional development.
• Applications training comes in all shapes and sizes – be clear about how much you need to know and choose a course to suit. Think about whether you need a qualification
• There are a number of awarding bodies offering a variety of qualifications, but most of them are written to the same set of standards that the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) has set.
• Find out what time commitment is needed and how much the training costs before making a decision. Check your organisation has a budget for training.
• Specialist training can be found if needed.  Check the ICT Hub Suppliers Directory, local Training Providers as well as other sources e.g. the internet, local colleges and libraries