Global Knowledge UK maps its training courses to the Skills Framework for the Information Age initiative
~ IT and business skills training leader aligns its portfolio to the IT skills standard in the UK ~
Global Knowledge, a leader in IT and business skills training, today announced it has aligned its range of IT and business skills training courses to the The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) - the internationally recognised skills standard, used throughout UK Government and thousands of organisations worldwide.
SFIA provides a common reference of easy-to-understand definitions of recognisable IT skills that can be built into standard job descriptions and role profiles.“SFIA underpins an organisation’s approach to professionalism in IT” explained Ron McLaren, operations director of SFIA, “This is why it’s mandated throughout HM Government and used by so many organisations and professional bodies around the world.”
Global Knowledge has developed a SFIA skills finder tool which is due to launch in September. This will make it easier for IT professionals and HR managers to assess the IT skills they need against existing skill sets. “We’re really pleased that training providers, such as Global Knowledge, have mapped their portfolios to the framework.” Ron continued “They understand that in these difficult times, their relevance and value to the client is enhanced by focusing on professional skills.”
SFIA has been defined by IT professionals and employers for use by IT and HR managers, as well as non-technical managers and lecturers. The overall purpose is to help organisations employing IT professionals to:
• reduce IT project risk by matching what skills are needed against what skills people have
• retain staff through recognition and reward of their capabilities
• make recruitment more effective by selecting staff who have the skills an organisation needs
• enhance the professionalism and effectiveness of the IT function.
“Organisations up and down the UK need to increase productivity to maximise opportunities and maintain costs” said Allan Pettman, UK managing director of Global Knowledge. “Investing in employee development and enhancing key IT and business skills, will reduce the costs associated with increased staffing or outsourced companies that manage core activities to the business.”
“Many of our customers use SFIA as a basis for their competency frameworks. By mapping our courses directly to the respected SFIA initiative, it allows us to confidently expand our reach to companies to help improve efficiencies and competencies of in-house departments.” Concluded Allan “It will not only help improve the standing and standard of the IT training industry as a whole but will also give organisations looking for IT training providers the confidence that they’re choosing an accredited partner supplier. It can only be a good thing for the industry.”
Please go to www.sfia.org.uk for more information.