Revenue among first with new certification


11 Feb 2003

Eleven executives from the Revenue Commissioners were among the first to graduate from the newly established ICS Skills Framework created by the Irish Computer Society (ICS).

The certification follows a three-month trial, after which the Revenue Commissioners, Bank of Ireland and Fujitsu Services rolled out the framework within their IT departments.

The ICT Skills Framework, built around a model already deployed in Northern Ireland, the UK and throughout Europe, endeavours to allow employers to define skills competencies in ICT (information and communications technology) and non-ICT companies dependant on technology.

It also allows firms to map out training programmes, identify gaps, allow individuals interested in ICT careers to understand the profession and identify a career entry-point and allow the industry and government departments to quickly address shortages as they happen.

According to the ICS, the framework helps firms identify job skills within their existing staff pool as well as potential recruits.

Kieran Coyle of the Revenue Commissioners says: “As the manager responsible for providing the technical training to our ICT division, it is important that I know the current ICT skills pool within the Revenue Commissioners so that I can identify skills gaps and target training accordingly. From a motivational point of view, we have many highly skilled individuals who have no formal qualifications but who gained their skills through courses, informal training, hard work and experience. The ICS Skills Framework is a method through which we can recognise these skills and experiences in a structured, independently verified manner.”

Jim Friars, CEO of ICS Skills, added that the framework aims to bring some structure to what is a largely unstructured industry. “This is the first group of individuals to be certified and the feedback has been immensely positive. The framework is a dynamic tool and acts as a measurement and motivational device. It provides much needed transparency and is a fundamental shift from vague job titles to solid verifiable skills certification,” he said.

By John Kennedy