"UPGRADE: The European Journal for the Informatics Professional - Vol. IX, Issue no.4, August 2008 - "EUCIP: A Model for Definition and Measurement of ICT Skills"

EUCIP: A Model for Definition and Measurement of ICT Skills

Published on behalf of CEPIS by Novática (ATI, Spain)

Chief Editor: Llorenç Pagés-Casas, <pages AT ati DOT es>
Deputy Chief Editor: Francisco-Javier Cantais-Sánchez <fjcantais AT gmail DOT com>
Associate Editor: Rafael Fernández Calvo <rfcalvo AT ati DOT es>

Abstract: This article documents the historical development of EUCIP, how its development was influenced by initial development of the EISS (European Informatics Skills Structures) framework and the EICL (European Informatics Continuous Learning), all the way to work on the EPICS (European Professional Informatics Certificate Service) project and the subsequent evolution into the European Certification of Informatics Professionals (EUCIP). The article explains the development of the three certification offerings, namely, EUCIP Core, EUCIP Professional and EUCIP IT Administrator and gives an insight into future developments for EUCIP.

Abstract: This article provides an overview of the three main EUCIP certification offerings, namely, EUCIP Core, EUCIP IT Administrator and EUCIP Professional. The article also outlines the links between the certifications and the potential progression options available within the EUCIP certification model.

Abstract: EUCIP, the European Certification of Informatics Professionals, is a professional certification and competence development scheme aimed at IT practitioners and undergraduates. Like ECDL, EUCIP was developed by CEPIS, the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies. This article gives an overview of the experiences of the EUCIP Operator in Norway, EUCIP Norge, in targeting the corporate market through the use of collaborative partners.

Abstract: This contribution reports on the approach of the Italian university system to the EUCIP certification scheme. The academic bodies, Universities, University consortia and central agencies have given a positive, proactive contribution to this effort. The cooperation has been active for some four years now, and will continue. This paper describes the organization that has been set up to support the certification scheme, the actions taken to diffuse its acceptance within the University curricula, and the different modalities for each part of the EUCIP scheme: EUCIP Core, EUCIP Professional (Electives), and EUCIP IT Administrator.
Errata Notice: The contents of Table 1 on page 22 are incorrect from row "C.4" to "C.6" (Module codes). To access the contents of the corrected table, please click here

Abstract: The following article describes some of the most interesting cases of the application of EUCIP-based services. All the case studies refer to the "EUCIP Services for Organizations" described in another article in this monograph.

Ireland Implementation Model [PDF: 2 pages, 89 KB]
Mary Cleary
Abstract: This article provides an overview of the developments which took place in the implementation of EUCIP in Ireland. ICS Skills has driven the deployment of EUCIP by promoting IT as a career through their ChooseIT campaign, resulting in securing part-funding for EUCIP in Ireland from the National Training and Employment Agency. The article also explores how EUCIP is being promoted by third-level educational institutions as a stepping stone to higher level degree and diploma course, and gives an overview of recent collaborations with the Associations of Northern Ireland Colleges and Momentum NI in bringing the EUCIP programme to Northern Ireland.

Estonia Implementation Model [PDF: 2 pages, 97 KB]
Jaan Oruaas
Abstract: The following article provides an overview of the approach taken by the Estonian Information Technology Society (EITS) in the adoption and implementation of the EUCIP Programme. The article pays particular attention to the roll out of the EUCIP programme and how it is being integrated into the state curriculum in Estonia.

Spanish Implementation Model: Current Situation [PDF: 3 pages, 106 KB]
José O. Montesa-Andrés, José-María Torralba-Martínez, and Manuel Rodenes-Adam
Abstract: In this article we review the current state of EUCIP training and its implementation in Spain. In particular, we study the current situation of the "ConsITIO" Masters Degree taught in collaboration with five universities, and the EUCIP accreditation to which it leads. The article also looks towards the future prospects for EUCIP in Spain.

A Web-based Computer System as a Main Tool of Certification Processes Automation in EUCIP Poland [PDF: 5 pages, 118 KB]
Grzegorz Szyjewski
Abstract: EUCIP Certification Program in Poland was preceded by the research, which showed that all examinations processes, described by the ECDL Foundation, can be highly aided with the Internet Computer System. Polish Information Processing Society (PIPS) decided to implement EUCIP in Poland and base it on such a system, which was named EUCIP Examination System (EES). Now EES may support or automatically execute EUCIP proceedings. It consists of some modules, which are responsible for a different activities like: payments, invoices, examination Core, examination Professional, and User (Candidate) account. The article also describes systems functionality designed for the Candidate, Competence Centre, PIPS accountancy and the Administrator.

Implementing EUCIP IT Administrator in Romania [PDF: 2 pages, 93 KB]
Ana Dulu
Abstract: This article provides an overview of the approach taken by ECDL Romania in the roll out of EUCIP. In particular, the Romanian EUCIP operations relate to the EUCIP IT Administrator programme and the relationships with suitable testcentres with experiences of offering similar programmes for IT professionals.

An Overview of Recent Adoption in Croatia [PDF: 3 pages, 112 KB]
Kristijan Zimmer and Enola Knežević
Abstract: This article provides an overview of the EUCIP programme as organised in Croatia by the Croatian Information Technology Society (HIZ/CITS) through its network of seven newly established test and education centres. The article explores the first EUCIP Core education and certification pilot programme that took place in Zagreb between March 25th and June 13th, 2008, as a result of collaboration between HIZ/CITS and Algebra IT School. The article also outlines plans to roll out the EUCIP Professional level certification.

CISCO and EUCIP Co-operation in ICT Professional Competencies Development [PDF: 3 pages, 200 KB]
Fabrizio Agnesi
Abstract: This article gives an overview on initiatives jointly managed by Cisco and EUCIP to promote professional competencies development through high quality training curricula and certification programmes. In particular the Cisco Networking Academy’s curricula "IT Essentials" and the related "EUCIP IT Administrator" certification are presented, as is the role of the Cisco certification system as accredited "elective modules" in the EUCIP professional profiles framework.

EUCIP Services for Organizations [PDF: 3 pages, 115 KB]
Roberto Bellini
Abstract: This article gives an overview of the tools and methodologies being used to assess and tune ICT competencies. The article makes particular reference to the use of these tools in ICT demand side and ICT supply side companies, and explores how the EUCIP service model supports four main resource management functions.

E-Learning Tools and Projects on EUCIP Core [PDF: 12 pages, 257 KB]
Marco Ferretti and Jaan Oruaas (with contributions by P. Prinetto, A. Chianese, P. Ciancarini and Lily Loidap)
Abstract: This article covers two projects whose goal is to produce e-learning material to help EUCIP enter the market with a complete scheme: syllabus, question database (both the responsibility of ECDL Foundation) and learning material (books, and on-line course). E-learning tools are widely recognised as a valid means to help the vocational market address the learning phase of a certification.
Errata Notice: The list of contributors to this article in the PDF is incorrect. The contributors to this article were actually the ones mentioned in this web page, namely Paolo Prinetto (Politecnic of Turin), Angelo Chianese (University of Naples "Federico II"), Paolo Ciancarini (University of Bologna) and Lily Loidap (Estonian Information Technology Society).

The Guest Editors

Renny Bakke Amundsen is CEO of EUCIP Norway, fully owned by The Norwegian Computer Society (DND). He graduated in Master of Science in Economics at The Norwegian School of Management (BI), Norway. Renny is a creative, enthusiastic, self motivated CEO with extensive experience in networking. He specialises in driving Informatics Competence in Europe and in technology driven business development combined with Knowledge Management. In addition he is an adjunct lecturer at BI for Master and Bachelor programs in Knowledge Management, eBusiness and other subjects related to technology, business and the society. He also participates actively in DND’s CIO Forum, some other workgroups and has been part of various boards in that organization. His profile is at <http://www.linkedin.com/in/rennyba>. <Renny.Bakke. Amundsen@eucip.no>.

Neil Farren is Programme Development Executive for ECDL Foundation, the global governing body and licensing authority for certifications including ECDL, the global standard in end-user computer skills, and EUCIP. He is closely involved in the development of ECDL Foundation programmes, including EUCIP. Prior to joining ECDL Foundation, he worked for the Irish government Department of Communications and was involved in the development of the Irish Digital Terrestrial Television platform. He holds a B.B.S. in Information Technology from Letterkenny Institute of Technology and an M.B.S. in Electronic Commerce from NUI Galway. <neil.farren@ecdl.org>.

Paolo Schgör, born in 1963, lives in Milan with his wife and their 4 children. After graduating with summa in Electronic Engineering, he worked for 5 years as a software designer at TXT e-solutions S.p.A. From 1992 to 2003 he worked for several consulting companies, including KPMG Consulting, as a manager in charge of enterprise applications (ERP, e-business,…) and as project manager for several international clients, mostly industrial groups. In this period, he got several personal certifications, among which Apics Cpim. More recently, Paolo started working as an independent consultant, collaborated with Politecnico di Milano for various teaching activities, and started a collaboration with AICA, the Italian Association for Informatics, where he is currently in charge of managing the ECDL & EUCIP certification programmes. <p.schgor@aicanet.it>.

Niko Schlamberger holds a university degree in mechanical engineering of the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. After having worked shortly in manufacturing industry, his professional experience is in the field of information technology in programming, application development, consulting, project management, and general management in IT industry, in business, and in government. His career experience includes various positions: head of software development in the major Slovenian bank, IT consultant, assistant to general manager of the former Yugoslavian federal clearing agency, and head of a Slovenian government information technology office. His present formal position is Secretary at the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, in charge of special projects. He is president of the national computer society — Slovenian Society INFORMATIKA (SSI), a member of Language Chapter of SSI, a member of Board of Editors of the Society’s professional journal Uporabna informatika (Applied Informatics) and of journal Information Technology and Control published by Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. In 2003 he was elected Vice-President of International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) for a three year term where he is also chair of Member Societies Relations Committee and a member of various standing committees. The office has been extended for another three years in 2006. In 2004 he was elected Secretary Honorary of Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS) and appointed a member of the board of European Network Information Security Agency (ENISA). In 2006 he was elected President Elect of CEPIS, to start his two-year presidential mandate in November 2007. He is now president of CEPIS. He was a visiting lecturer at the High School of Administration at the University of Ljubljana and has written a text book on computer programming fundamentals. He is member of programme committees of national and international computing and informatics conferences, and has contributed papers for national and international conferences. His bibliographical record shows over fifty papers, reports and reviews.

UPENET (UPGRADE European NETwork) [PDF: 5 pages, 286 KB]

From Novática (Spain)
Mobile Technologies
ICING: Building the Cities of the Future
Joan Batlle-Montserrat, Irma Merino-Zapirain, and Carlos Paternain-Soler

This paper will be published soon, in Spanish, by Novática. Novática, a founding member of UPENET, is a bimonthly journal published, in Spanish, by the Spanish CEPIS society ATI (Asociación de Técnicos de Informática – Association of Computer Professionals).

Abstract:The ICING Project explore new uses of mobile technologies to increase citizens’ quality of life in urban areas by means of improving their communication and interaction with the urban environment, communities, and public administration. This paper presents the project and describes the main goals, technological contributions, and benefits.

CEPIS NEWS [PDF: 5 pages, 162 KB]

CEPIS Working Groups

Thinking Ahead on e-Skills in Europe: Matching Supply to Demand
Consortium Team led by CEPIS

Abstract: This report offers a framework for long-term thinking on the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as the engine of Europe’s knowledge economy. Core information is drawn from the findings of "Thinking Ahead of e-Skills for the ICT Industry in Europe", a report published for the European Commission by a consortium led by the Council of European Professionals Informatics Societies (CEPIS).

Monograph: EUCIP: A Model for Definition and Measurement of ICT Skills

Presentation
Introducing EUCIP [PDF: 3 pages, 98 KB]
Renny Bakke Amundsen, Neil Farren, and Paolo Schgör (with contributions by Niko Schlamberger)

When Geoff McMullen and Llorenç Pagés-Casas asked us to support the editorial team of UPGRADE and Novática for the composition of this special issue on EUCIP, our first enthusiastic reaction was quickly followed by concern about the big challenge ahead: it’s not easy to choose and summarize the most important facts and experiences earned in various years of EUCIP projects in various countries.

We knew from the beginning that, in spite of the ample availability of pages, only a few selected projects could be presented, others simply mentioned, and many more excluded. On the other hand, this monograph is not intended to recollect everything about EUCIP (which would be simply impossible); the main goal is to give a comprehensive view on all aspects of the EUCIP model.

We acknowledge that a high number of people from around a dozen European countries have contributed to the development of EUCIP from the beginnings up to its current stage: our sincere apologies for not mentioning each of them individually. We’re confident that the growing success of EUCIP initiatives can nurture some justified pride, especially in those who contributed voluntarily, when the EUCIP model was just an interesting idea for possible future applications.

The first two articles of this issue of UPGRADE will explain about the history of EUCIP development and its current status as a certification programme for ICT professionals.

EUCIP literally stands for the "European Certification of Informatics Professionals", but the plain explanation of the acronym is not sufficient. To create this programme, the dedicated CEPIS taskforce had to find a shared position on complex issues, such as professionalism, competences and ICT certification: these three are all hot themes, on which a lively debate is currently taking place.

To mention a few examples, IFIP has recently launched a taskforce on ICT Professionalism, CEN/ISSS has undertaken a complex project for the European Commission to define ICT professional competences, and in the USA (the homeland of all largest ICT multinationals) some experts are reflecting on issues that stem from a "vendor" approach to certification.

To explore these issues in greater depth, please refer to the articles written in the last twelve months by Emmett Dulaney on Redmondmag.com and by Warren Wyrostek on InformIT. Both of these authors are advocating a new certification system that really focuses on the skills required to work as an ICT practitioner, not on those "pushed" by companies interested in selling their products (and the respective latest versions, regardless of real market demand).

It appears that the independent researchers on both sides of the Atlantic ocean – the Americans mentioned above, and the Europeans who worked in the Harmonise project (see Table 1 below) – come to very similar conclusions: the market, and especially the organizations using IT to support their business, can no longer understand where the value is, due to the real jungle caused by an overwhelming variety on the supply side. There are currently thousands of different ICT certifications available, and even for experts it is hard work to compare one with another.

To answer the initial question, EUCIP is certainly about ICT certification, but is not limited to just ICT certification. We prefer to say that EUCIP is a model, proposing a viable approach to the definition and measurement of ICT professional competences. In fact, all other articles in this edition describe applications of the EUCIP model; in a sense, every single application (ranging from a country approach to local implementation, up to offering a full set of services around ICT competences) requires the involvement of several partners. EUCIP is therefore a unique example of a multiple multi-stakeholder partnership, having different forms in different countries. This example has recently been endorsed by the inclusion of EUCIP in a benchmarking study on policies on multi-stakeholder partnerships for e-skills in Europe (1).

The various articles from Ireland, Estonia, Spain, Poland, Romania, Croatia, plus the article on Cisco/EUCIP co-operation, and the final article on e-learning tools and projects show how the involvement of different institutions is a key success factor for the introduction of the more usual types of EUCIP certifications (Core and IT Administrator).

The remaining articles from Italy and Norway report on how broad the discussion may become when talking of the professional profiles and of all services to organizations that can be built around the management of human resources and of their respective competences.

Conclusions

The EUCIP programme has probably reached its main turning point. It can either continue as a traditional certification offering (and face fierce competition in a narrow market, where customers are disorientated by an excess of proposals) or achieve a unique position as a shared model around which a number of stakeholders are building original solutions to the complex issues of professionalism and effective management of ICT competences.

The second option has an evident higher value, but its achievement does not depend on CEPIS only: it depends on an open attitude from other stakeholders, who can either exploit the value of this thorough model, or continue to conceive new projects from scratch to cope with the arduous task of defining and measuring ICT professional competences.

(1) <http://ww