The Business Studies department at Gert Sibande College - Ermelo Campus, was recently awarded a bronze certificate from the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), the internationally recognised global standard in end-user computer skills. The award is given to organisations and educational institutions that contribute to increasing the levels of ICT competency in South Africa. The award for the Ermelo Campus was based on the number of ICDL qualifications obtained by staff over the period 2008/2009.
The ICDL SA Awards Programme has four levels - platinum, gold, silver and bronze - and is based on the number of ICDL qualifications obtained by each company or educational institution. In order to be eligible for the award, a minimum of 10 individuals per company or institution is required.
ICDL regional manager, Deon Hancke, said the ICDL has grown exponentially at Gert Sibande College since its introduction in 2006. He said he was particularly impressed with the high standard of education and excellent results the ICDL candidates obtained at the college.
“I am also grateful that ICDL co-ordinator at the college, Engela Franken, has taken the initiative to bring this qualification into the reach of the communities of Ermelo,” said Hancke.
Franken and Gert Sibande College management agreed that the qualification would afford candidates an added advantage in their careers, as many employers are continually looking for a packaged solution for complete computer literacy in a world where an IT qualification is the de facto standard in business success.
Any participating company or institution whose full complement of entrants obtains their ICDL qualifications, i.e. 100% of the entrants, will receive the ICDL SA Platinum Award. The Gold Award will be awarded to the company/institution that has 90% of their enrolled entrants passing, while the silver and bronze awards will be afforded to those companies/institutions that have 70% and 50% of the total complement of entrants respectively obtaining their ICDL qualification.
Numerous organisations and educational institutions recognise the importance of the ICDL qualification, and in fact encourage their staff and students to complete the qualification.
Jennifer van Niekerk, CEO of the ICDL in South Africa, said the ICDL has been adopted by the international business community, international organisations, and governments. The ICDL programme comprises seven modules - concepts of information technology (IT); using a computer and managing files; word processing; spreadsheets; database; presentations; and information and communications. Obtaining the ICDL certification requires commitment and dedication and a candidate must demonstrate practical proficiency in each of the most commonly used software tools. The candidate has to pass all seven modules for a 'Full Certificate' with a 75% pass mark.
“For the past 10 years, ICDL South Africa has worked to raise the level of ICT skills in society, to increase users' confidence in computer usage and to enable access to the information society for all citizens,” said Van Niekerk.
The ICDL certification (known as the European Computer Driving Licence in Europe) is available in 148 countries globally and has been translated into 41 different languages.
The ICDL in South Africa is a non-profit organisation and was established to promote digital literacy to all and to administer the global quality standard in end-user computing.
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