Cambridge International Examinations offers IT career awards

ITP News Network/Mumbai

A focus group discussion of corporates and academics was organised in Mumbai recently by the Cambridge International Examinations, a department of the University of Cambridge offering overseas assessments. The seminar was an awareness and market research initiative of CEI’s suite of Cambridge Skills and Career Awards, which access the practical application of career-based knowledge across a range of business-focussed areas. Each award provides successful candidates and companies with an internationally accepted qualification.

The awards which range from IT to soft skill areas are available in foundation, standard, advanced, professional and higher professional levels. Cambridge Skills Awards in Information Technology, available at foundation and standard levels, are essentially for those candidates who are returning to workplace after a career break and want to catch up with the latest development in office technology. The Cambridge Career Awards in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is also available at the advanced level. Students can be awarded certificates for individual modules or get a full award. The tests can be taken on-demand — as soon as the candidates are ready and at times to suit the centres. Assessments are only available on CD from CIE and the software must be installed before any tests can be taken. The results are provided instantly. CIE has developed a new version of IT skills testing software in association with the National Computer Centre in the United Kingdom, called the Cambridge IT Skills.

“The suite of IT awards offered by CIE are recognised by employers and universities worldwide. For example, the Cambridge Career Award in ICT (Advanced level) is recognised for entry to Bachelor degree courses in Computing and Information Systems/ Technology by Edith Cowan University in Perth. This is just one of the many universities and professional bodies such as the Institute of Management Information Systems (IMIS) who recognise the Cambridge ICT Award,” says Paul Muir, market intelligence co-ordinator, Cambridge International Exams, University of Cambridge. He informs that the Diploma is Computing is also recognised by universities worldwide like the University of Sydney for entry into Bachelor degree course. It is also recognised for entrance to Bachelor degree programmes (as a substitute to the GCE A level) by many of the top UK varsities like the Cambridge, Bristol and York universities.

“We are looking at the Indian market from the school to the corporate level,” says Simon Higgins, customer development officer, adding that for IT the range is for students from six years upwards. The courses are offered at the British Council centres and also direct training centres.

The non-IT awards include Cambridge Skills Award in Thinking Skills, Career Awards in Business, Cambridge Management Awards, Career Award in Project Management, Career Awards in Office Administration and Cambridge Career Awards in Travel and Tourism. The focal group discussion revealed that in India there is a tougher competition for IT training while the soft skill awards might find a ready market.