Citation
(2003), "Civil servants learn computer "driving" skills", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 35 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2003.03735fab.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Civil servants learn computer "driving" skills
Civil servants learn computer "driving" skills
As part of its drive to deliver services electronically by 2005, the UK Cabinet Office is undertaking a training initiative in conjunction with the British Computer Society (BCS) to offer the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) qualification in computer competency to staff in the Civil Service.
Using information technology (IT) to meet the needs of citizens and businesses was one of the five key commitments in a recent white paper on modernizing government. ECDL was introduced to train and develop staff to ensure that this aim was met.
Ruth Kirby, head of the central government national training organization secretariat, explained: "In selecting ECDL, the Cabinet Office was seeking a programme that spanned the range of basic user skills. Because ECDL is based on e-learning principles, users can use their new skills as they learn".
A framework agreement has been devised with the BCS that covers a wide range of options to help any government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies listed in the civil-service yearbook wishing to implement ECDL into their own training and qualification strategy.
Each department has the option of offering ECDL and the decision to implement it will depend on their individual business needs and may vary for different groups of staff. In addition, the central government national training organization is keen to promote the use of training that leads to a formal qualification. Being internationally recognized, ECDL is a suitable programme to offer.
ECDL UK director, Pete Bayley, commented: "The decision to implement ECDL reflects the way in which the qualification has been established within the public sector as being key to delivering this vital element of e-government. Already, both the National Health Service and the Ministry of Defence have invested significant funds in encouraging employees to gain ECDL certification".