Practising Computer Professional Program

ACS has formalised this obligation with its Practising Computer Professional, PCP, program.

To achieve PCP status an ACS member needs to accrue 30 PCP hours in a twelve month period. As 30 hours is sufficient to attain PCP status, any course of a duration longer than 30 hours is shown as having PCP hours of 30. No course is allocated more than 30 hours.

BACKGROUND TO THE PCP SCHEME

It is claimed by information scientists that knowledge in Information Technology (IT) is doubling about every five years. Unless IT professionals constantly acquire new skills and knowledge their ability to perform their professional duties will be impaired.

The ACS encourages and promotes continuing education as a way of maintaining competence in the Information Technology profession. There is little point in having screening procedures for entry to the ACS if, once members reach Associate of Member status, no scheme exists to recognise their continuing development. There is little credibility in claiming that just because people met the knowledge and skills requirements of the ACS many years ago, they still meet the changed requirements for Information Technology professionals in the 1990's.

The PCP Scheme enables our clients and our employers to differentiate between members who regularly undertake continuing education and members who do not. The simplest way to achieve this is to recognise those members who do engage in on-going education activities as Practising Computer Professionals of the Australian Computer Society.

GOAL OF PCP PROGRAM

PCP activities must improve a member's ability to undertake his or her job by extending the member's knowledge and skills. It is additional to the normal requirements of the member's employment. It is for the member to decide which activities satisfy this requirement. For example, activities may be offered by professional bodies, educational institutions or commercial organisations and in-house training is allowed. Members may elect to undertake a home-study course or develop their own structured program of study.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITES

PCP activities must be structured, that is, the activity must have a clear set of objectives and a logical framework. Example of structured activities include lectures, workshops, seminars, distance learning courses, and educational videos and audio tapes. Properly organised discussion groups will meet the requirement. Some members might plan and execute a study program based upon researching literature in a particular field.

WHAT AREAS ARE ALLOWED?

The PCP program allows for educational activities that deal with new knowledge and skills in Information Technology as well as the acquisition or improvement of Interpersonal skills and general business skills. Accordingly, courses in areas such as finance, labour relations, law, marketing, health and safety, project management, economics, quality assurance and negotiation skills are all considered relevant activities.

HOW TO CLAIM PCP STATUS

There is provision for members to claim PCP status for the past 12 months either using the solemn declaration on the subscriptions renewal form or a separate PCP Feedback Form. Copies of this form can also be obtained from your local ACS Branch.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Online PCP Course Provider Directory

For further information on the PCP program, contact the Branch office in your state.

For information on ACS membership, contact the National Secretariat.