A group of Irelandís Instituteís of Technology have launched a new programme for undergraduates and IT workers who do not hold official qualifications. EUCIP, the European Certification for Informatics Professionals, is an entry level IT qualification which was developed by CEPIS, the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies. The objective of EUCIP is to offer certification of IT competence at an intermediate educational level to ensure a common standard which is accepted by industry, government and public organisations.
The Institute of Technology Tallaght was the first third level body in Ireland to offer EUCIP from September 2005. Tallaght is now taking registrations for its next EUCIP programme which starts this Autumn and other regional ITís have followed suit. IT Cork, IT Waterford and IT Blanchardstown have also announced their intention to introduce the EUCIP programme to students this year.
The popularity of the programme has been boosted by FS Training for People in Employment funding which amounts to up to 70% of the total cost of the programme for eligible workers in the private sector and commercial public sector or the self-employed. Recently FETAC, the government Further Education and Training Awards Council, announced that EUCIP is equivalent to Level 6 on the Irish National Framework for Qualifications.
EUCIP is being administered in Ireland by ICS SKILLS, the training and certification body of the Irish Computer Society. Mary Cleary, Professional Development Manager of ICS SKILLS is enthusiastic about the benefits of the programme, both for IT professionals and the industry as a whole. ìEUCIP will increase the labour market value of certified IT practitioners, and thus can contribute to the closing of the skills gap, which is threatening the continued development of the IT industryî she said.
ICS SKILS invite any 3rd level institutions or students who are interested in EUCIP to register for news and updates on the programme at
Institutes of Technology Advocate EUCIP
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