Home > News > March 2009 > 18 March 2009

BA graduates embark on new IT programme

Ten graduates from BA are the first to take part in a new programme from e-skills UK.

The IT Professional Development Programme aims to quickly develop new recruits in the early years of their IT careers.

The programme is delivered by universities in conjunction with e-skills UK and covers a range of topics at masters degree level. These include: how to assess the contribution of technology in the business environment; how to understand and work towards the business objectives behind IT projects; and how to select and use appropriate methodologies or tools to support project needs.

The programme is supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and is delivered through a blend of face-to-face learning and e-resources, assessment, mentoring and employer support.

Paul Binks, senior manager at BA's IT hub in Newcastle said: "BA believes the IT Professional Development Programme will enhance the development of our IT professionals, giving them the skills they need to contribute rapidly to our business success. The opportunity to achieve externally recognised qualifications is important both to us and to the whole sector, helping to build a respected IT profession."

e-skills UK is the Sector Skills Council for business and information technology. Karen Price, CEO of e-skills UK, said: "Over the next ten years, around one in five of people entering technology careers will come direct from education, so new entrants are vital for the sector's renewal and growth.

"Businesses need capable and talented people who can progress quickly to more demanding roles and the IT Professional Development Programme provides a flexible, fast track development scheme that will support new IT professionals and their employers in the vital early years of their career."

The Open University is one of the universities involved in the programme. Glyn Martin, head of communication and systems in the OU's Faculty of Mathematics and Computing, said: "In the current economic down turn an appropriately skilled workforce can give an employer competitive advantage and help to ensure that they are strongly positioned to take advantage of economic recovery when it comes.

"This collaboration is vital to ensure flexible, high quality and relevant programmes are available to meet the needs of both employees and employers."

According to e-skills UK, around 100 graduates from a variety of companies are expected to begin the IT Professional Development Programme later this year.

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e-skills UK

The Open University

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