|
For Immediate Release
Certiport and OCR Partner to Incorporate IC³ into CLAIT Suite of Certifications
Learning Technologies Show, London Olympia (January 29, 2003) — Certiport, Inc., the leading provider of global certification programs and services and Oxford Cambridge and RSA (OCR), the leading UK IT awarding body, today announced a partnership to incorporate the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) into the OCR CLAIT Suite of IT user qualifications. This collaboration enables OCR to maximize relevancy for today's workplace and expands the OCR CLAIT Suite's market reach to meet the growing demand for digital literacy.
Beginning the second quarter of 2003, centres will be able to buy the electronic tests that make up IC³ as optional units in the OCR Level 1 Certificate for IT users (New CLAIT). As part of the National Qualifications Framework the OCR CLAIT Suite awards attract government funding. The OCR CLAIT Suite provides a route through which schools, colleges and universities in the UK can access LSC funding for IC³ units. This is of great significance to academic institutions, for which funding is a vital consideration for the range of courses they can offer.
"We are delighted to announce our partnership with OCR, whose distinguished qualifications have been a hallmark of the British education system. The incorporation of IC³ provides candidates with the opportunity to gain the current and relevant computing and Internet skills needed in today's information society. For many it will be their first computing qualification," explained David Saedi, executive vice president of Certiport.
IC³ provides a firm foundation for IT skills development, measuring basic computing and digital literacy. It is the first globally recognised and professionally validated standard measurement of computer competence. IC³ provides a solid foundation for students wishing to undertake more advanced IT and desktop application certifications.
"IC³ is a valuable additional option to the OCR CLAIT Suite of qualifications. These three extra units will help us expand our market reach because they represent a highly regarded and important measure of IT skills. Through partnering with Certiport we are giving customers the option to take globally recognised electronic tests at Level 1. At levels 2 and 3 we already have electronic tests from Microsoft® Office Specialist - so this completes our offering." explained Greg Watson, Managing Director of OCR.
The OCR CLAIT Suite covers a wide range of IT User specialist units at Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and is accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). The Level 1 (New CLAIT), Level 2 (CLAIT Plus) and Level 3 (CLAIT Advanced) qualifications provide a coherent progression route for students requiring IT skills for the workplace of the future.
The OCR CLAIT Suite gives people the unique opportunity to tailor qualifications to their own IT needs. Each qualification consists of units, which can be entered individually, as part of a nationally recognised IT user award, or in any combination appropriate to individual needs.
OCR is the latest in a growing list of organizations recognizing and recommending IC³ around the globe. These include global CompTIA, the American Council on Education, and the National Skills Standards Board in the US.
About Certiport
Certiport is the leading provider of global, performance-based certification programs and services designed to enable individual success and lifetime advancement through certification. As the worldwide provider of the Microsoft Office Specialist program, Certiport is responsible for the development, marketing and administration of certification programs for the Microsoft Office suite. Certiport is also the exclusive worldwide provider of the IC³ program. For more information about Certiport's offerings, visit www.certiport.com.
About OCR
OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of qualifications to meet the needs of learners of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications include AS/A Levels, GNVQs, Key Skills, Entry Level Qualifications, NVQs and 'own brand' vocational qualifications in areas such as IT, business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.
Each year more than three million students gain OCR qualifications, which are offered by 13,000 centres including schools, sixth form colleges, FE colleges, training providers, voluntary organisations, local authorities, and businesses ranging from SMEs to multi-national organisations (www.ocr.org.uk)
About QCA
The Qualification Curriculum Authority (QCA) is a guardian of standards in education and training. They work with others to maintain and develop the school curriculum and associated assessments, and to accredit and monitor qualifications in schools, colleges and at work (www.ocr.org.uk/OCR/WebSite/docroot/nqf.jsp)
###
For Further Information:
Jessica Helyer
Text 100 Public Relations
0208 996 4130
jessica.helyer@text100.co.uk
Isobelle Hatrick
OCR
01223 552765
Hatrick.I@ocr.org.uk
|
