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International Certification of IS Professionals
Andrew Mason |
Getting good educational qualifications is the most important start to a successful career in computing. In fact, it is pretty well impossible to get started in the field without them, despite the huge number of vacancies that exist. Employers generally just aren't prepared to take a gamble on someone who is effectively an unknown quantity.
Among the best qualifications around are those offered by New Zealand Polytechnics. But these are only the start of a life-long learning process. Practitioners increasingly have to demonstrate continuing commitment to professional development throughout their careers, especially if they are working - or would like to work - overseas. The question is, how to go about it, and then to demonstrate to a prospective employer or client that you have done so?
Many national Computer Societies are addressing this via professional development courses for their members. In our region, the Australian and Singapore Computer Societies are leading the way with programmes that are now certified by the South East Asian Regional Computer Confederation (SEARCC).
- The ACS CMACS programme is a home study-based Master's level course. It has five specialist streams; Project Management, IT Strategy and Management, Marketing and Selling IT, Electronic Business and Software Engineering. CMACS study can be credited towards Masters degrees in a number of Australasian universities. The New Zealand Computer Society has a memorandum of understanding with ACS to offer CMACS in NZ.
- The SCS CITPM (Certified IT Project Manager) programme is specifically for project managers, and SCS are in negotiation with the Project Management Institute (PMI) for mutual recognition. As there is a strong world-wide demand for experienced project managers, this should prove a very popular qualification.
As a result of the SEARCC certification, NZCS will now recognise holders of CMACS or CITPM. Any New Zealanders with these qualifications will likewise be recognised in any of the 16 SEARCC countries. This can only be good for professional standards and the mobility of practitioners.
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