iSolve Learning Solutions, a division of iSolve Business Solutions, has realigned its academy to include business, people and technology. The academy's new focus is on competences relevant to IT professional work, based on what learners can do and what they know, rather than their IT skills.
It focuses on real-life relevance that is built on current materials from industry with unprecedented support from employers for content and transforming delivery.
Tracy Leathem, iSolve Learning Solutions Practice Manager, says while particularly relevant for the technology professionals, entrepreneurs and business leaders of the future, the Academy in IT will open doors for all students by helping them to prepare for adaptable careers and lives in the ever-changing landscape of the technology-enabled world.
“Learners will explore the transformational potential of technology and its contribution to organisations, individuals and society; learn how to deliver successful projects; create technology solutions to meet business requirements; and develop the ability to work effectively in a professional environment,” she explains.
Based on three integrated themes of business, people and technology, the underpinning learning outcomes of this academy will be brought to life through up-to-date contexts, which capture the relevance and excitement of technology for learners. This may include, for example, infrastructure and its impact on business and society; software development and the integration of software; data management; and the technologies utilised in the business intelligence industry.
The iSolve Academy sets out to reflect the blend of business, technical and interpersonal skills needed in modern IT roles. To this end, it has developed valued transferable skills in English, communications, math, project management and also personal, learning and thinking skills, including critical analysis, problem solving and creative thinking.
“Our academy inspires learners through an exploration of the real-world integration of technology in business, supported by innovative approaches to content, delivery and assessment. It encourages more learners into technology-related careers with exciting content that is equally attractive to young men and women,” she adds.
Students completing the first level of training will have a foundation, knowledge and practical skills on how technology is used in business. All students will have demonstrated functional skills in English, presentation skills and the use of IT in a business world, and will have developed the personal, learning and thinking skills to progress to the second level.
To complete the first level successfully, students will have to describe a range of ways in which technology helps organisations and individuals to achieve their objectives. They will need to design, create and test a simple technology system to meet a defined business need and also apply the principles of problem solving in a technical environment. More importantly, they must be able to communicate effectively within a business context using written and spoken English.
Students completing the second level will have an understanding of how technology is used in business, a solid grounding in the principles of technology systems, and will have attained at least one Microsoft Technology Certification and one project evaluated by an iSolve Practice Manager. All students will have demonstrated functional skills in the use of IT and will require the necessary personal, learning and thinking skills to progress to level three.
To complete level two, students will need to investigate and describe how technology is transforming organisations. They will have to develop an understanding of organisations and business processes and also demonstrate the ability to communicate and operate effectively in a business-like environment.
Leathem says students will need to develop professional-oriented skills, including the ability to create business proposals, with particular focus on the confident and appropriate use of English and maths. “They will have to design and develop technology-enabled solutions to meet a business need, using macro and script programming, and solve problems arising in technology systems. Furthermore, they need to design and develop a technical implementation in business intelligence or data management or software development that demonstrates understanding of business requirements, technical competence and awareness of audience needs.”
“More importantly, they need to apply principles of project management to create task-based project plans and plan and complete a project that demonstrates holistic understanding across the programme and personal, learning and thinking skills. In addition, students will have undertaken additional or specialist learning to complement this generic and principal learning content,” she says.
Students completing level three will have a solid grounding in the principles and practices of technology in business. Through a balanced programme of business, technical, project and interpersonal skills development, students will understand and apply the principles of the systems life cycle from business analysis through solutions design and development, to system operations.
All students will be able to demonstrate a high standard of English and math and the personal, learning and thinking skills to underpin effectiveness at work or in further learning. They will have at least one Microsoft Professional Certification and will have completed two projects evaluated by the Practice Manager of the specific technology area.
She says to complete this level successfully, students will have to be able to evaluate differences in companies' organisational structures and styles, with particular reference to the impact of technology. “They must communicate and operate effectively in the business environment, including demonstrating use of English and maths to the standards required in the professional workplace, and developing the capability to create compelling business cases.”
Students must have a solid grasp of technology fundamentals, including design principles, data modelling, programming basics and security, by designing, developing and testing technology solutions that deliver identified business benefits. They must develop the capability to manage small-scale live technology system operations to meet a customer's business requirements, including systems availability, technical problem solving and change management. Furthermore, they need to identify key factors in the success or failure of projects, and develop high quality project plans relevant to realistic work environments.
They must demonstrate holistic understanding across the programme, and effective interpersonal skills, including team working, critical analysis and problem solving, self-management, creative thinking and reflective learning. In addition, students will have undertaken additional or specialist learning to complement this generic and principal learning content.
“Not only do we help young people to prepare for adaptable careers and lives in the ever-changing landscape of the technology-enabled world, but we boost learners' employability through the use of up-to-date, employer-relevant content,” she concludes.
For more information, contact iSolve Learning Solutions on (011) 807-9525 or e-mail learning@isolve.co.za.
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