Margaret Granger/Asheley Jones ACSEducation | September 2012

SFIA and MaharaTools to Support

CPD forthe IT Industry

Australian Computer Society - ACS

www.acs.org.au

Professional Organisation of ICT ProfessionalsProvides a certification program

CT – Certified TechnicianCP – Certified Practitioner

Certification provides official recognition of your competencies to potential employers

ACSEducation

The Education arm of ACS

Computer Professional Education Program - CPePProfessional Year Program- PYDiploma in IT Program – DIT

Delivered online using Moodle as the delivery platform

Skills Framework for the Information Agewww.sfia.org.uk

The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) provides a common reference model for the identification of the skills needed to develop effective Information Systems (IS) making use of Information Communications Technologies (ICT).

Skills Levels

SFIA Skills Matrix – Generic Skills

Skill Dimension

Autonomy SupervisionProblem / DiscretionAccountability

Influence Internal / ExternalLeadershipIndustry

Complexity ActivityEnvironmentContext

Business Skills TechnicalProfessionalismCommunication

SFIA Skills Matrix – Technical Skills

Solution Development & Implementation

Strategy and Architecture

Business Change

Client Interface

Service Management

Procurement & management Support

Describing Skills using SFIA - AutonomyLevel 3Works under general supervision. Uses discretion in identifying and resolving complex problems and assignments. Usually receives specific instructions and has work reviewed at frequent milestones. Determines when issues should be escalated to a higher level.Level 4Works under general direction within a clear framework of accountability.Exercises substantial personal responsibility and autonomy. Plans own work to meet given objectives and processes.Level 5Works under broad direction. Is fully accountable for own technical work and/or project/supervisory responsibilities. Receives assignments in the form of objectives. Establishes own milestones and team objectives, and delegates responsibilities. Work is often self-initiated.

SFIA and ACSEducation

Course outcomes mapped to SFIAProfessional Practice module part of courses

Students map skills to SFIAStudents develop e-portfolio using MaharaStudents in PY develop resume and job application withinMahara as part of course work

Exit CPEP with CP certificationExit DIT with CT certification

E-portfolios

Developed using Mahara as integral part of Professional Practice module of CPEP and DITAs component of PY ProgramSkills are recorded in the Skills Artefacts of Mahara

Generic skills within Work Skills artefactTechnical skills within Academic Skills artefact

NOTE: we do need to look at changing labels within Mahara hereCan also be presented by using a text box

The Professional Year PY Program

This program is for former international students who have graduated from a university within Australia and are seeking permanent residency.Includes a 12 week online program conducted by ACS Education to include

Mapping of current skills to SFIADevelopment of an e-portfolio in MaharaWriting and peer review of Job ApplicationDevelopment of Career Plan

Sample e-Portfolio

Using SFIA Descriptors

Career Development

SFIA as a tool for planning career developmentStudents can:

Map current skills to SFIAIdentify skills gaps from SFIA matrixPlan career developmentUse Mahara to record this career development

Career Development

Student Feedback – PY Students

“E-portfolio is good way to present our

knowledge and skills. In my opinion Mahara is very important tool

for anybody to present their

portfolio”

“Being able to assess skills and plan for future skill development using

SFIA has been most valuable”

“I like having a place to plan and monitor my career development”

Advantages of the e-Portfolio

Availability ACS members have ongoing access to Mahara

Career Development PlanningCan use this artefact to provide a career plan and follow progress

Can use tool to develop customised Job Application for sharing or presenting to prospective employers

Future Developments - My SFIA

Customisation of ACS Portfolio (Mahara)Relabelling of Skills Artefacts to reflect SFIA skills typesAddition of customised drop-down boxes with SFIA skills

Offering of PD Workshops to encourage ACS members to use these tools

Face to face workshops in each State and TerritoryUse of webinars to provide wider footprint

Future Developments - ACS Portfolio

Contacts and Further Information

Margaret GrangerMACS CP

margaret.granger@acseducation.edu.au

Asheley JonesMACS CP

asheley.jones@acseducation.edu.au