Licence gives future employers proof of computer literacy

By JULIE MIDDLETON

IT professionals are right behind a new scheme to make evidence of computer literacy among New Zealanders as ubiquitous as their driver licences.

Industry body The Computer Society has become the country administrator for the International Computer Driver Licence, a standard developed in Europe that aimed to give people credentials recognised all over the world.

"It's about [computer] literacy, and it's for ordinary people," says Arthur Kebbell, the manager of NZCS business subsidiary Computing NZ.

Holders had passed seven standardised tests proving their ability in basic information technology, using a computer and managing files, word processing, spreadsheets, databases and filing systems, presentations and drawing, and internet and e-mail.

The qualification was aimed primarily at those between 30 and 60 who had not received much computer education at school, said Mr Kebbell.

Many of them had picked up computer skills on the job, but had large gaps in their knowledge. School leavers were another group targeted.

Around 100 people had gained the licence in New Zealand, he said. Many were senior secondary school students from Wellington, as schools in the capital had been quick on the uptake.

Samuel Marsden Collegiate had become accredited to teach the ICDL, and curriculum specialist Neil Harray had put most of last year's year 13 students - 76 of them - through it. About 70 per cent had completed it, with the rest a few exam passes away.

Victoria University graduate Andrea Winstanley was a typical ICDL student. Although she had picked up various computer skills during her honours degree in international relations, she had nothing to prove it for would-be employers.

She spent 60 hours over two weeks working through the ICDL course, and sat the exams through ICDL-accredited Wellington company McGirr Training.

The course, she said, "was very clear, but quite dense, especially when you're talking about things like Ram and Rom. I found that quite challenging".

"But it was thorough, especially when it came to sitting the exams. It was very rewarding - I feel a lot more confident."

Gloria McGirr, of McGirr Training, said that increasingly a good education meant nothing in the job market without computer literacy.

"Employers want to know you have the basics," she said.

"Companies don't want to invest money in training people in core competencies.

"Now they expect that people will get them in school, or invest in doing it in their own time."

Although there were many computer skills courses at different levels available in New Zealand - including the PC Drivers Licence, made up of selected polytechnic-level qualifications - it was hard for employers to quantify their value, said Mr Kebbell.

Since the ICDL's establishment in Finland in 1996, more than 22 countries had become involved and more than a million people had gained their licences.

ICDL hopefuls could work on a variety of computer platforms, although Mr Kebbell said that "98 per cent" of people used Microsoft products.

Students could buy the $600 CD training package and work at their own pace, or get involved with an accredited training provider.

They sat the exams through an accredited centre.

Each of the seven exams cost between $15 and $20.

Each took no more than 45 minutes, said Mr Kebbell, and test passes were endorsed on a skills card.

The qualification was an essential in a country wanting to raise the computer literacy of its population.

"In Dublin, a survey in the last three months of 2000 found that 48 per cent of job ads said the ICDL was mandatory."

Mr Kebbell said that some tertiary institutions, such as Australia's Monash University, had made holding the qualification compulsory for commerce students.

Three New Zealand Government departments had indicated interest.

Learning to drive your personal computer

The International Computer Driver Licence demands competency in seven areas.

They are:

* Basic concepts of information technology: the physical make-up of a PC and concepts such as memory, data storage, networks and security; legal and health issues around computers.

* Using the computer and managing files: how, why and where computers store files; how to use operating systems and the desktop environment; managing and organising files and directories/folders; simple editing tools; and print management facilities.

* Word processing: Using a word processing application to create, format and finish a document; using features such as standard tables, pictures and images within a document; importing objects and using mail merge tools.

* Spreadsheets: developing, formatting and using a spreadsheet; standard mathematical and logical operations using basic formulas and functions; importing objects, creating graphs and charts.

* Databases and filing systems: Designing and planning a simple database; retrieving information; using query, select and sort tools; creating and modifying reports.

* Presentation and drawing: creating, formatting and preparing presentations; creating a variety of presentations for different target audiences; using graphics, charts and various slide-show effects.

* Information network services: proficiency in using internet and e-mail applications.

The New Zealand Computer Society