A new Europe-wide qualification designed to show basic competence in computer skills has been launched with the award of the first ‘driving license’ to successful students in the UK. Apart from raising the general level of competence in IT, the new qualification is designed to raise productivity and enable employers to invest more efficiently in IT. At present, there is a proliferation of IT courses and qualifications, making it difficult for students and employers to know exactly what standards they offer. The European Computer Driving License, run by the British Computer Society in the UK, will operate in 13 European countries and is designed to become the most widely- recognized qualification in the field of work-related computer use. Students cover seven modules dealing with subjects such as word processing, databases, networking, spreadsheets and graphics. Courses are open to everyone, regardless of age and experience. As they pass each module, the accredited testing body will sign a ‘logbook’. When all the modules have been successfully completed, the logbook is exchanged for a certificate showing the candidate is a qualified driver.
