Developing Professionalism in IT. Who needs it? Kevin Streater & Simon Rae Centre for Professional Learning & Development, Business Development Unit, The Open University

Facts about The Open University The UK’s largest University Over 263,000 students registered with us this year 89% of part-time students study to further their career aims 2009/2010 figures give approx. 13,000 students (FTEs) in IT- related subject areas The OU currently makes over 44,000 academic awards annually Since 1971 the OU has made over 778,000 academic awards, including over 310,000 first degrees & over 47,000 higher degrees The OU has a 40-plus year partnership with the BBC and has co-produced programmes such as Coast, Seven Ages of Britain, The Virtual Revolution and Bang Goes The Theory

‘IT professional workforce central to economic recovery’ ‘Globalisation and convergence have had major impacts on the IT & Telecoms workforce and the sector has experienced the effects of recent economic developments. However, the sector is expected to make a fast recovery. In addition, it is clear that the IT & Telecoms professional workforce will be central to the UK’s economic recovery.’ (e-skills UK Technology Counts UK: IT & Telecoms Insights 2010)

The IT Professional Skills Landscape Available data shows that IT skills are in demand: 1.The UK need for IT Professionals is 23% higher than at the start of 2010 (Reed Annual Job Index). 2.e-Skills UK reports that demand for IT & Telecoms professionals has risen in 2010 with over 90,000 advertised positions available in the UK. 3.The number of applicants to IT related higher education courses has decreased 44% since From applicants' to Computing degrees have dropped 33%. 5.Recruiters reported difficulty in filling IT & Telecoms positions due to a lack of candidates with the required skills, qualifications or experience (e-Skills 2011).

The Professional Body View The BCS has indicated that: 1.The desired level of maturity for the IT profession is an established level i.e. between level 4 and 5. 2.The current level is considered to be between levels 1 and 2. 3.To attain level 2, qualifications need to be brought together in a single regime, a professional core body of knowledge is defined and CPD operates. Profession Maturity Model derived from the Carnegie Mellon University Capability Maturity Model®

SFIA Framework SFIA v4 is sector specific competency framework Used to describe roles in the IT & Telecoms Sector Key Drivers are to enable: –Business Effectiveness –Productivity –Resource Planning –Capability Mapping –Mergers and Acquisitions

Skills Framework for the Information Age

Activity Theory representation of ‘Developing Professionalism’ Tools Subject Community Object Division of Labour Rules Outcomes

Activity Theory representation of ‘Developing Professionalism’ CPD IT Graduate IT Profession Develop Professionally Accredited by IT Professional body Standards and professional core body of knowledge Professionalism

Developing new levels of Professionalism CPD IT Graduate IT Profession Develop Professionally Accredited by IT Professional body Standards and professional core body of knowledge New levels of Professionalism

Mark Palmer – Open University – Supported Distance Learning Tutor Student + Study Guide On-line Conferencing Tutorials Residential Assignments - TMAs Manager’s Study Guide Course Books Revision Examination Student Forums

Negotiated Foundation Degree This new award is being developed and piloted using the ‘Learning through Work’ (LtW) platform. LtW is an on-line planning, management and delivery system to enable Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to offer negotiated work-based programmes agreed between learners, employers and HEIs. This process results in a customised learning programme that meets specific employer needs. This personalised, negotiated, foundation degree includes: Work-based learning APEL Accreditation of employer-based educational programmes Open University modules Learning programmes negotiated between student/employee, employer, OU Pilot Foundation Degree using this model is the National Foundation Degree in ICT.

Negotiated Foundation Degree (G20) - IT Industry Example T122 Level 1 30credits M150 Level 1 30credits MT127 Level 1 30credits U122 Level 1 30credits T216 Level 2 60credits M263 Level 2 30credits T227 Level 2 30credits Make your experience count Work experience/training Cisco Networking CCNA Foundations Degree in Combined Professional Practice Data, computing and information Building blocks of software Career development and employability Change, strategy and projects at work Certified Practitioners 1 Microsoft MCP or CCNA plus SFIA level 2 skill

PG Certificate in IT Professional Practice Professional Programme 1. Professional foundations - overview and concepts 2. Problem solving - analysis and intervention 3. Leadership skills for effective IT-led change 4. Management of change - techniques for analytical frameworks 5. IT project management - key concepts and application 6. Business solution design - introducing the information systems lifecycle Portfolio Assessment

BYA834 Improving your Practice 30 points – 6 months UYA810 Continuing Professional Development in Practice 30 points – 6 months 150 hours from Employer induction training External Course 15 hours 15 hours CPD External Course 15 hours 15 hours CPD External Course 15 hours 15 hours CPD External Course 15 hours 15 hours CPD External Course 15 hours 15 hours CPD External Course 15 hours 15 hours CPD Potential 45 points (maximum permitted) MBA elective 60 points MSc 60 points Open Masters OR 150 hours Readings, CPD concept map, Assessment Theme – Impact on practice 50 hours Assessment Theme – Improving your practice Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Practice 70 hours Reflective log based on CPD Custom Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Practice

Developing Professionalism in IT. Who needs it? Conclusion 1.The IT Skills Landscape is changing. 2.There is a need to drive the IT Profession further up the Professional Maturity Model to develop greater professionalism. 3.Employers need to look at staff development in the longer term. 4.Higher Education needs to develop flexible CPD ‘Tools’ that will accommodate these ‘Rule’ changes and take in to consideration the ‘Community’ of IT Professionals and Employers. So who needs Developing Professionalism in IT? Professional Bodies need it, Employers need it, Individuals need it, Universities need it, we all need it.

For more information please contact: Kevin Streater Executive Director, Employer Engagement IT & Telecoms Sector Business Development Unit The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA United Kingdom Mob: