1. Transformation & Competitiveness
The role of ICT certification in Europe
John O’Sullivan
Chisinau, Moldova 19 May 2011

2. The EU scene
Creating a borderless lifelong learning area
EQF
Referencing / Bologna
Self-
certification
Framework
Recognition National Qualifications Europass,
Guidelines – System Diploma &
non-formal &
informal National Qualifications Certificate
learning Framework Supplements
EQARF ECVET
ECTS

3. European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
Levels
• Applies to all types of
education, learning, 8
skills, qualifications 7
• Formal and otherwise 6
• Competence based –
5
“learning outcomes”
• Outputs not inputs 4
• Compares national 3
systems 2
1

4. European e-Competence Framework e-CF
• Based on a shared understanding of competence
Competence: a demonstrated ability to apply
knowledge, skills and attitudes for achieving observable results
• 5 e-Competence levels related to the EQF 8 levels
• Framework structured from 4 dimensions:
Dimension 1: 5 e-CF areas Dimension 3: 5 e-CF levels
Dimension 2: 32 competences Dimension 4: knowledge & skills

5. e-CF
overview
www.ecompetences.eu
5

6. Example: IT Quality Manager / Auditor
Competences required by
the profile
Competence required, but
respondent has deficiency
A.2. Service Level
Management
E.3. Risk Management
Competences that exceed
those required by the profile
CEPIS: Survey of professional e-Competence in Europe http://ecompetence.cepis.org/

7. What is ICT Certification ?
Process of gaining a “credential” in a ICT particular skill
• granted by a recognised body
• on achievement of an acceptable standard
• defined and judged by quality assured processes
Examples
• Degree in Computing
• Member of a professional body eg MBCS
• European Certification of Informatics Professional EUCIP
• European Computer Driving Licence ECDL
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer MCSE
• A Plus

8. Value of ICT Certification
• To employee / candidate – to improve pay / prospects
• To (prospective) employer – badge of competence
• To teacher and learner – setting the target
• To IT customer – confidence in supplier
• To IT supplier – promotional tool for business development
• To vendor – to protect distribution channel
• To public – confidence in IT professionals
• To national economy – economic development

9. Characteristics of e-certification
• Certification jungle ?
1300 certifications from 130 providers

10. Characteristics of e-certification
• Certification jungle ?
• Parallel universe ?
Disconnected from public education systems

11. Characteristics of e-certification
• Certification jungle ?
• Parallel universe ?
• Vital and fertile eco-
system supporting the
parent labour and product
markets ?

12. Lifelong learning
Certification
Training
Job/
Work
Education

13. Who is involved in ICT certification?
Standards
bodies
ETSI
ECDL Professional
DG Foundation
bodies
Education & ECMA
DG
Culture Employment, EUCIP
Social Affairs FEANI
CEN
European DG
Info Society CEPIS
Commission
& Media
DG Enterprise
IBM
& Industry
ECDL e-Skills ILB CompTIA
Cisco
(Industry
Leadership Trade
EUCIP
Board) associations
Cedefop MS EICTA
European
Agencies ETF ISEB
CERT-IT PIN-SME
Empirica Multi-Stakeholder Partnership
EMF / UNI
EITO Europa Trade
European Unions
... Schoolsnet Informatics EuroCIO ETUC
Europe
Research Agencies User body
Education

14. Map of organisations in ICT Certification Romania
ICT Vendors
Public/Governmental Universities IBM
body & CISCO
Polytechnics
CISCO Oracle
Academy MS
Ministry of Education & training
Education
Ministry of MS
Communications and
Information Society ANIS ANISP
(MCIS) PMP,
ECDL
IT&C Commission
ARIES
Chamber of Deputies Agency for e-Government & ICT Trade
IS Services “Policy in the field of associations
ASSI information
technology and ATIC
Government/EU communications” AOTR
Agencies RoEduNet (2004-2008)
CSIRT,
ENISA
National Institute for PMI Professional
Research and Development in OWASP bodies
Informatics (ICI), ANCOM RO
INSCC
ISACA FICT
Research Agencies Ro Assoc
CEEB Telecom
ANSPDCP Engineers
Standards
bodies Trade APC
Unions
User body

15. Country Maps
EU Bulgaria
Belgium Romania
Germany Netherlands
Ireland Spain
Italy France ?
UK

16. Volume was growing at 25% pa…
10
9
8 Millions of Iceberg effect
7 certifications
6
worldwide
5
4
3
2
1
0
00 07 08
• Over 1300 certifications from 100 providers
• Test-to-train ratio 20 %, Pass ratio 30 to 50 % ?
• Volume of learning perhaps 10 times no of certifications
• But what happened then ?

17. Effect of the financial crisis
• Certification market
increased, then flat,
then decreased sharply
• Training market and
certification market
Incidence of training in last 3 months
becoming disconnected
• Increased competition ICT Certification Market Statistics in 000
– Price wars 12000
11000
10000
• Vendors reluctant to 8000
9000
7197
provide data 6000
4000
• EMEA worst affected 2000 1958
0
2000
1 Mid 2007
2 Mid32008 2010
4

18. Selected market data
Vendor Volume
Microsoft > 4 million
CompTIA 1.4 m
Cisco 1m 27,000 per year
ITIL 276,000 2010
ISACA 95,000
Linux Professional Institute (LPI) 90,000
Certified Information Systems 70,000
Security Professional (CISSP)
Institute for Certification of 50,000
Computing Professionals
XML Master 17,000
Project Management Institute 393,000 Not all ICT
Certiport 9m User + entry professional

19. European model - Vendor engagement
CompTIA

20. Positioning certifications
• Working with e1 e2 e3 e4 e5
vendors A1
A2
A3 Cert
• Methodology for B1 B
positioning e- B2
B3
certifications against B4
e-Competence C1
Framework (and C2
hence to EQF) C3
Cert A
D1
D2 Cert
• Self assessment E1 C
with peer review E2
E3
E4

21. • International provider of ITIL + other certs, based NL
• Main domestic product is TRACKS:
– 5 roles, 3 or 4 modules each, 2 to 5 core tasks
• Three role certs have been positioned against e-CF1
– Business Information Manager
– Tester
– IT Project Manager
• Each task is allocated to competence and level
Prepare and Manage a
e-CF area implement a project project
E2 Project and Portfolio e-3 e-3
Management

22. MCSA 25
MCSE 35
MCTS 10 *
MCPD 20/25
• Ireland HETAC have accredited
MCT 10
MCITP pending these certs at their Level 6
• Hence EQF Level 5, e-CF Level e-2
• Awarded ECTS credits as shown
• Microsoft now seeking accreditation
in other countries

23. Security Specialist
Vendor ComTIA e-CF EQF SFIA e-CF Descr
level level level level area
Cisco Expert e-4 7 5-6 A5 Architecture
Design
Citrix Expert e-4 7 5-6 D1 Info Security
Strategy Devel.
CompTIA Specialist e-3 6 5-6 D8 Contract
Management
Microsoft Specialist e-3 6 5-6 E3 Risk
Management
Cisco Specialist e-3 6 5-6 E8 Info Security
Management
Microsoft Intermediate e-2 5
Microsoft Beginner

24. CompTIA Roadmap CompTIA
Draft roadmap (in German) related to e-CF

25. Related CEN activities
ICT Certification ICT Cert
in Europe in Action
e-CF for SMEs e-Career
Services
User e - Job
Framework Profiles
EQF

26. Conclusions
• EQF is the central European reference for all
education, training and qualifications
• e-CF is the first sector application
• Certification has a vital role on lifelong learning
• Vendors are engaged in positioning their
certifications against e-CF and EQF
CEN Workshop
Agreement
e-Certification in
Action