What is ITQ?

ITQ is the National Vocational Qualification for IT Users which demonstrates staff competence in the use of IT in the workplace. It is offered at levels 1, 2 and 3. In Scotland, the qualification is called the Scottish Vocational Qualification in Using IT.

ITQ is primarily aimed at IT users and not professional IT staff such as engineers and developers. ITQ was developed by employers for use in the workplace and has the full backing of a number of awarding bodies. It has been in use in all sectors of business and industry for 3 years.

ITQ has been designed to provide you with an up to date IT user qualification for your workforce, tailored to the needs of your business and your staff. It provides analysis of workforce skills such as making the best use of technology in business systems and in communication with colleagues and customers. It recognises that all organisations need IT skills but that these will vary in level and type depending on individual business needs and the use made of technology in the organisation. ITQ even allows for the inclusion of bespoke units in recognition that many employers have their own unique IT systems.

Customise your ITQ

The fundamental difference in ITQ, unlike any other IT User qualification, is that it is highly customisable. The content of the qualification can be adjusted to suit the requirements of the workplace and employee, as well as the skills level of your chosen disciplines. In other words, the employer ends up having 'created' their own ITQ (eg, The East Cheam Electrical Company’s ITQ, the Big Car Company ITQ), allowing their staff to learn and be assessed on tasks that they need to know as part of their job, and taking into consideration any existing qualifications they have.

In addition to being able to mix-and-match traditional IT skills in an ITQ (such as word processing, databases, email and so on) ITQ also recognises bespoke software. This means that if an organisation runs a proprietary program/system for managing client data, logistics, statistics and analysis, for example, it too can be incorporated into the qualification.

Why choose ITQ?

We asked employers what they wanted from an IT user qualification and then we worked to deliver it. The result has the full backing of a number of awarding bodies but, more importantly the enthusiastic backing of the employers who helped us pilot it to get it exactly right.

So why is everyone so enthusiastic about it?

Improved Return on Investment - ITQ provides tailored training that meets your business need. ITQ helps ensure greater Return on Investment (ROI) for any investment in training by aligning learning to business goals. Learning can take place in the workplace or outside – depending on the learners and the business need. Individuals are assessed according to the IT tasks that they need to do in their job, thereby making the qualification very relevant to their day to day job.

It's truly flexible – Different employers need their staff to have skills at different levels, according to the type of business and the role of the individual. ITQ allows different skills to be learned and assessed at different levels. So if you need your staff to have a high level of word processing skills, intermediate level spreadsheet skills, but only a basic knowledge of preparing presentations the ITQ can flex to deliver that need.

Build on existing skills - Very importantly, all IT User 'vocationally related qualifications' – VRQs - map to ITQ. So learners with City & Guilds e-Quals, BCS' ECDL, OCR's CLAIT, for example, will all be able to convert to ITQ without having to repeat competency in the skills they have already proven through these other VRQs. This mapping capacity means that it is simple for learners to evolve their hard-earned IT qualifications to a work-orientated IT qualification with no repetition or duplication of time or effort.

Bespoke Units can be included – Many employers told us that they need their staff to be trained on software that is unique to their business so the ITQ allows for bespoke units to be included to meet this business need.

Cross recognition by Awarding Bodies – If your staff already have an IT user qualification, they can use it count towards the ITQ. This allows staff to build and develop their skills to meet your needs without having to face the de-motivating prospect of starting again or having to demonstrate skills they’ve already had assessed.

Less Bureaucratic Assessment – Many employers told us they were put off N/SVQ because they found the assessment bureaucratic and burdensome. We have therefore worked hard with the Awarding Bodies and QCA/SQA to reduce the bureaucratic burden and to allow for as much assessment as possible to occur "naturally" using the systems already in place in a company.

Benchmark IT skill levels - and analyse the IT skills needs and strengths across the organisation. Tailor an ITQ for the business, the team or the individual, including units in the use of bespoke software and non IT skills if relevant and measure everyone's skills against one common standard.

How it works

The ITQ (SVQ for IT Users) is a vocational qualification delivered through training providers and colleges around the country, or in-house by employers. A range of teaching and learning styles can be used, including e-learning and e-assessment. Many previously acquired IT user qualifications such as European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) can contribute towards an ITQ.

The e-skills Passport helps you identify the current level of IT skills within your workforce and plan the levels you need to achieve to maximise productivity. It provides a plan for the training required for ITQ and an ongoing record of achievement.

ITQ Framework

The ITQ framework has 15 skill areas at 3 different levels, aligned to the National Occupational Standards for IT User. These include the bespoke or specialist software in use in your business. It defines points, according to difficulty, for each IT Skill in the Framework.

The level of skills for individuals or groups of individuals will vary depending on their work requirement. Sector specific units such as in Customer Care, Health and Safety or Administration can also be included.

ITQ is designed so that Awarding Bodies and Training Providers can tailor the qualification to meet your needs. This flexibility is implemented through an internal credit matrix which enables required skills to be selected at appropriate levels from the set of 15 ICT areas of competence.

Combining Points

The Framework has 3 simple rules, builte-skills Passport, for combining skills points to make a full-size competence-based ITQ at level 1- 3. There is one mandatory unit ("Make Selective Use of IT") at each level. In the mandatory unit learners have to demonstrate that they can apply their IT skills for a real purpose, taking responsibility at the appropriate level for their activities.

Assessment

The skills assessment process can use evidence from vocationally related qualification (VRQ) testing, from the workplace, and from dedicated test scenarios which set the challenge of a Realistic Working Environment. The single mandatory unit allows learners to demonstrate their IT user skills effectively by gathering information, communicating and explaining how and why they have used IT in specific circumstances.

Who is it for?

Employees and work-based learners

Primarily ITQ is aimed at those in employment, with an emphasis on those who are using IT as a significant part of their role. This is not limited to those working at a desk or with a PC, since tailored programmes can be designed for those working with other ICT systems (eg in retail, engineering or manufacturing).

Full-time or part-time? Paid or voluntary? ITQ is suitable for them all. The important thing is that the employee has the opportunity to apply their newly learnt skills within the workplace.

Unemployed, or those seeking work

9 out of 10 new jobs require people with IT user skills. Operating a computer and being able to use the internet and a word processor are essential skills for life as well as work.

All the learning towards the optional units can be undertaken in a learning centre. Assessment of the optional units can be under simulated workplace conditions or by other recognised qualification. The mandatory unit must be assessed on tasks that have been done for a real purpose. Searching for a job using the internet, preparing a CV, writing letters of application, keeping records of applications - these would all be suitable tasks for assessment.

Full-time and part-time students

Again, all the learning and assessment for the optional units can be undertaken in School or College. Knowledge tests, simulation, and realistic working environments are all valid for assessment of the optional units.

Assessment of the mandatory unit can be linked to work experience placement, giving the student the opportunity to use evidence arising naturally from workplace tasks and activities. It can also be linked to project work, whether for IT or for another subject - a school project or undergraduate dissertation or thesis would provide a candidate with plenty of opportunities to demonstrate the application of IT user skills for a real purpose.