ECDL testing

The ETC has carried out 1,160 European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) tests on 313 people between October 2003 and September last year and achieved a success rate of 92 per cent. Non-registrants undertook 851 tests and 309 were taken by ETC's registered unemployed.

There were more ECDL tests taken by females than males, both among non-registrants and registrants. Around 140 people completed the seven modules and received the full ECDL certificate.

ETC was one of the earliest organisations to offer the possibility to sit for the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), and acquire this unique form of IT qualification by offering courses which lead to ECDL testing.

In this respect, the ETC recognised at an early stage the need brought about by technological innovations. In so doing, it has given the labour force another tool to upgrade its skills in new information and communication technologies.

In the present competitive job market, IT and computing skills are increasingly required by all organisations independent of size and focus. Job seekers who are to enter the labour market will always be faced with the requirement to prove their IT and computing skills, knowledge and competences.

On the other hand, when employing people, modern organisations face the real and practical problem of measuring the competence in IT and computing skills of potential employees.

As the only pan-European certificate, the ECDL is recognised within the EU and in many other countries thus ensuring that holders of the ECDL Certificate that their skills and competences are recognised all over Europe.

In Malta, large organisations started to use the ECDL as part of their employee career development system. In the last financial year, the ETC has helped many organisations achieve these goals.

For employees, the ECDL was something to plan for and achieve to fulfil their organisational requirements for IT skills expertise. Thus, organisations which were looking to train their workforce wanted to ensure that the money they spend on training courses would be well spent. Usually, at the end of a training course in computing applications, there is no sound and independent proof that a trainee has actually learnt.

Training competence has been achieved through ECDL testing at the ETC's Accredited Test Centre and not through an internal test. The results have proved that ECDL certificate holders had the skills and knowledge required to perform efficiently and effectively within the workplace using computer applications and tools that are required by today's organisations.

By providing ECDL testing and training, the ETC increases the confidence of people in making use of new technologies resulting in a greater employee motivation, increased productivity and a reduction in ICT support. It is also helping to develop a uniformity and standard level of competence in IT, contributing to a flexible workforce that can adapt as the labour market develops.

To book your ECDL tests, contact Mr Zammit on 2220-1603 or send an e-mail to charlesz@etc.org.mt

Mr Zammit is an executive at the ETC in Hal Far.