A group of leading UK systems companies, together with the Computing Services Industry Training Council, launched a new training scheme in London yesterday. Called the Industry Standard Development Programme, it is planned that the scheme will become the standard training programme for the computing services industry. The top nine UK service companies have all agreed in principle to back the scheme. The companies that will be taking part in the initial pilot scheme are CAP Group Plc, Hoskyns Group Plc, Systems Designers Plc and BIS Group Ltd. The pilot scheme will last until autumn when other companies are expected to join. The objective is to identify the best in company training and assist in the adoption of these practices throughout the industry. It is financed mainly through the private sector but has also received some government money. It also has the support of the Computing Services Association. The Department of Trade and Industry estimates that there are 2,000 people starting work in the information technology industry each year. The sponsors expect as many as 2,500 people to join the scheme each year, leading to an industry-defined standard of competence. The programme is aimed at new entrants to the industry, and training will take place in a normal working environment. Progress will be achieved by continuous assessment, recorded in the trainee’s ISDB log book, which will be monitored by the Training Council. Competence in a given skill will be demonstrated by completing a performance assessment module unaided in normal working conditions. It is estimated the programme will be of three to six years’ duration. After successful completion the trainee will get a computer practitioners’ certificate.
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