A Common Language To Describe The Competences Required In The ICT Industry

• August 12, 2016
• admin

​A group of 60 educators and industry professionals have attended for a half day seminar to discuss the e-Competence Framework (eCF). The seminar, which was held at the MITA Data Centre on 28th July 2016, was organised by the eSkills Malta Foundation in collaboration with IT Professionalism Europe (IPE). It provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the e-Competence Framework and its importance for the Maltese industry and the education providers.​

Representing eSkills Malta Foundation, Carm Cachia discussed the competences and qualifications which are essential in the ICT profession. He also raised the issue about the existing ICT skills gap. Mr Cachia also highlighted important related future initiatives which are planned by the eSkills Malta Foundation. These include an ICT industry based eSkills Demand and Supply Audit and the publishing of a Green Paper followed up by a Public Consultation on the ICT profession.

During the seminar, the Policy & Communications Officer from the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS), Frederic Aerden explained in detail the European e-Competence Framework and its methodology. He also discussed how the e-CF describes the requirements of ICT professionals and, whilst it also helps organisations to recruit and develop suitable employees, it can also be referred to by the education sector in respect to current skills and learning outcomes being required by the ICT industry.

The European e-Competence Framework (e-CF) Founding principles
On 6th April 2016, the European e-Competence Framework (e-CF) became a European Standard. It gives organisations, businesses and ICT practitioners in Europe a common language to describe the competences required in the ICT Industry.

The e-CF version 3.0 provides clear definitions and sound orientation to support decision-making in relation to the selection and recruitment of candidates, as well as the training and assessment of ICT professionals. It also enables the identification of skills and competences that may be required to successfully perform duties and fulfil responsibilities related to ICT in both the private and public sectors.

This framework gives a strong indication to ICT educators of the competences and roles that their students can aspire to. It provides a reference to 40 competences as required and applied to the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) workplace, using a common language for competences, skills and proficiency levels that can be understood across Europe.

During the construction of this framework, specific philosophies and principles were adopted. These include the principle that the European e-Competence Framework should be an enabler. For this reason, it is designed to work as a tool which empowers users, not restrict them.

It is also intended to expresses ICT competence, which is a durable concept and can be a component of a job role. However, it cannot be used as a substitute for similarly named job titles and it is important that as a competence it is not confused with a process or technology concept.

The e-CF does not attempt to cover every possible competence deployed by an ICT professional or ICT manager. It also does not include all the competences which are necessarily unique to a particular ICT sector.

The framework is structured into four dimensions and has a sector specific relationship to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Continuity of the e-CF is imperative and for this reason it is regularly updated. The framework is neutral and free to use.

The e-CF is a component of the European Union’s strategy for e-Skills in the 21st Century, supported by the European Commission and the Council of Ministers. The framework supports key policy objectives of the Grand Coalition for digital jobs and benefits an ever growing user community from the EU and across the world.

For more information please visit the link: http://www.ecompetences.eu/.