MEDIA RELEASE

ICDL Accelerates into National Training Package

Sunday 18 July 1999 - The International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) has gained credence with the announcement it has been incorporated into the latest Information Technology & Telecommunications Industry Training Advisory Board's (IT&T ITAB) National Training Packages.

Launched in May 1999 by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), the ICDL aims to raise the level of computer competence within the Australian population.

IT&T ITAB, which operates under the auspices of the Australian National Training Authority, has set ICDL as the underpinning knowledge and skills for the competencies required at Certificate II in Information Technology.

At the time of its launch, ITAB Chair, John Price, said the ACS should be applauded for its initiative in launching the ICDL in Australia.

"The IT skills crisis is common knowledge, but we also have an urgent need to lift the broader level of computing usage amongst people in all levels of commerce and industry," said Mr Price, who also chairs the AIIA's Education and Training Forum.

"The ICDL has the potential to play an important role in helping to address this situation, and we also hope it will increase awareness of the diverse range of careers available within the IT&T sector, not all of which are technical in nature.

"This initiative will enable individuals to gain basic computing skills, giving them a leverage point to then build greater competency and to consider whether this is a career area they want to explore further."

ICDL is not a training course, but a testing standard certified and administered by the ACS and by computer societies in over 22 countries around the world. It provides a standard and meaningful definition of the computer skills people have acquired either through self-learning or through training in everyday computer applications. Testing will be available through ACS Accredited Test Centres around Australia. Test Centres are currently operating in Sydney and Adelaide, and will be available in Victoria and Queensland in the coming weeks.

This media release is located on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/icdl2.htm

ENDS

The Australian Computer Society is the recognised association for information technology (IT) professionals, attracting a large and active membership from all levels of the IT industry and providing a wide range of services to its members. It is the public voice of the IT profession, the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the IT industry, with a commitment to the wider community to ensure the beneficial use of IT. See the ACS Home Page for more information.

Media Enquiries:

Prins Ralston, ACS President, Tel: (0411) 755 069, Email: prins@bmconsult.com.au

Arthur Dyster, Consultant, ICDL Project, Tel: (02) 9299 3666 or (0419) 610 613, Email: arthurd@acslink.net.au

Caroline New, Caroline New PR, Tel: (02) 9980 8060 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au