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Computer Driver's Licence Take Off

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Tuesday 29 October 2002

RICHARD HOGG

When the ACS first introduced the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) into Australia back in 1999, we promised this global standard would help computer users to both enhance and demonstrate their competence with PCs.

As acceptance of this ICDL standard continues to spread, so do the benefits as existing and potential employers increasingly use it to drive productivity and to measure the PC skills of staff and job candidates.

A study by the British Computer Society of the introduction of the ICDL (known in Europe as the ECDL) into Britain's National Health Service (NHS) revealed substantial cost and time savings. Eventually, 1.2 million NHS employees will undertake the program, but the initial pilot of 3,000 staff recorded an average saving of 38 minutes each day as a result of increased productivity.

Closer to home, an initial 100 employees from the NSW Department of Information Technology and Management (DITM) have embarked on their International Computer Driving Licence. The DITM initiative stems from an action item in the NSW Government's ICT Skills Action Plan, released by NSW Premier Bob Carr in March 2001.

The volunteers are the first among more than 300 who expressed interest in the ICDL program, which is being funded by the Department.

DITM's Learning and Development Unit believes the program will raise the general level of computer competence, improve productivity in the workplace and reduce user support costs.

Aside from the advantages for employers in terms of establishing a benchmark for PC skills, the ICDL also benefits individuals by certifying them to an independent competency standard that is recognised not only in Australia, but in over 60 countries around the world.

Certainly Kerrie Newton credits her new ICDL qualification as playing a significant part in her appointment to the position of Food and Beverage Manager at Harold Park Raceway in Sydney.

Retrenched after 20 years in the hospitality industry, Kerrie knew that her mature age and lack of computing skills could hamper her chances of employment.

She had never even turned on a computer before enrolling at TAFE NSW - Southern Sydney Institute's Lidcombe College, where she completed the WorkSkills course in conjunction with the Certificate I in Information Technology and the ICDL program.

Towards the end of the program, Kerrie noticed the job advertisement for the position at Harold Park Raceway, which required not only hospitality industry experience but also the ability to use Word and Excel extensively and give PowerPoint presentations.

Applying her newly acquired skills to prepare her resume and lodge an application for the position via email, Kerrie was able to use the ICDL to establish her PC competence and eligibility for the position.

Kerrie's experience is being repeated throughout business and the community as corporate and government programs put users through their paces.

Between May and August this year, a free ICDL course was run by the Redfern Community Foundation and Sydney Community College, with funding from the NSW Board of Vocational Education and Training.

The courses attracted a diverse group of students aged from 16 and 60 who between them represented six different cultures. It involved four hours face-to-face classes each week with an additional four hours per fortnight allowed for testing.

From a deaf Vietnamese woman, for whom computers and the Internet offer new ways to communicate and participate more fully in society, through to a reformed drug addict who wants to start his own business, the program offered new skills and opportunities.

As President of the ACS, which administers the ICDL program in Australia, I am delighted to hear of success stories like these and greatly enjoy seeing people from all walks of life enhance their job prospects and enjoyment of computers through this program.

The ICDL program also addresses many of the equity of access issues relating to technology by developing PC skills throughout the community.

This year, the ICDL marks its two millionth participant worldwide, less than 18months after the one million milestone was achieved.

After just three years of operation in Australia, the local program is enjoying rapid growth with over 400 accredited test centres nationally and many tens of thousands of students enrolled in the program.

Federal, State and Local Government departments and agencies have been enthusiastic in their support and adoption. One of the most significant endorsements in this arena has come from Brisbane City Council, the largest local government body in the southern hemisphere, which has adopted the ICDL throughout its entire organisation.

In the corporate sector, household names like Sharp Corporation and Philips Electronics Australia have also embraced the ICDL as a way of certifying PC skills, with Sharp offering the program to up to 500 of its dealers nationally.

Significant to the ICDL's continued success has been its acceptance by the human resources and learning & development fraternities for its positive impact on workforce capabilities and morale.

A recent survey of 10,000 ICDL graduates in the UK revealed that almost two thirds of those polled had chosen the ICDL for its broad recognition as a computer skills qualification. The study found a 95 per cent satisfaction rating with the program and 97 per cent said they would recommend it to family, friends and colleagues.

Richard Hogg is National President of the Australian Computer Society.

To contact the ACS, call on (02) 9299 3666, email: info@acs.org.au or visit the ACS Web site