Foster-Melliar turns ITIL V3 Intermediate on its head!

The ITIL EXPERT, currently one of the most sought-after IT certifications in the world, is now more accessible thanks to the innovation of Foster-Melliar, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Simeka Business Group, and its partner ITpreneurs, a world leader in best practice content provision.

Foster-Melliar was the first company to bring the ITIL best practice framework to South African shores, and this week it is again the first to announce the introduction of the ITIL v3 Expert Programme in South Africa.

Russell Steyn, Managing Director of Foster-Melliar, says: “The impact that the ITIL Expert Programme will have from an organisational and individual point of view is quite substantial, as it directly addresses an urgent need in the market for educated IT service management professionals; giving the IT industry a clear vision of what is required to educate managers, practitioners and consultants; and showing individuals how to boost their careers by becoming ITIL Expert Certified professionals.”

ITIL Expert status replaces the popular version 2 ITIL Service Managers Certification. The ITIL Expert status is considered a unique status and achievement in the industry.

As a result, ITIL Experts are recognised and respected for their knowledge and skills, and it enhances both their professional status as well as their career prospects significantly.

The Expert Programme is designed with the ITIL v2 Service Manager structure in mind. Since the migration to ITIL v3, international trends have shown an uncertainty and confusion among students regarding the replacement of the highly sought-after ITIL v2 Service Managers Certification, which for many years was seen as the ultimate achievement in the IT service management domain.

Steyn believes the new Foster-Melliar ITIL Expert Programme can achieve the same status and effect, when combining the intermediate courses and 'managing across the life cycle' in a condensed classroom setting enhanced with innovative e-learning methods.

“Previously, the path to ITIL Expert level required numerous courses, ranging from three to five days each, sometimes totalling in excess of 25 days! Our new ITIL Expert Programme provides one integrated approach in as little as 15 days in the classroom! Complemented by in excess of 50 hours of e-learning modules, this condensed programme, spread over 12 weeks, results in the fastest path to Expert Certification,” says Steyn, who is confident this programme will “allow individuals an easier path to Expert, save valuable time, and most importantly, save money.”

Benefits of attending the Expert Programme are:
1. Reduction of classroom time by >50%.
2. Limited travel, less time away from home or office.
3. Self-paced e-learning allows students to learn the theory at their pace.
4. Classroom sessions are focused at application of knowledge.
5. E-learning materials are available for two years after completion of the programme.

The full Expert Programme will retail at around R32 995 (conditions apply), excluding VAT, and students will have the choice of not one, but two Expert Programmes: the Lifecycle Track is for those who provide guidance towards the implementation of ITSM in an organisation; and the Capability Track is for those who are involved in executing and improving existing ITIL processes in an organisation.

For more information about this programme, please visit http://www.Foster-Melliar.co.za or contact 0860 22 55 36.