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For Immediate Release
Microsoft Certification Attains NZQA Status
Microsoft Office Specialist certification is now available in schools after
receiving the big thumbs up from NZQA and the Ministry of Education.
A two year pilot programme, Generation XP which was trialed in schools with
over 600 students participating, has resulted in Microsoft Office Specialist
certification programme being granted credit inclusion for NCEA.
“This is a huge milestone for the (MOS) certification”, says Graham
Duncan, Managing Director, Microsoft Office Specialist. “Students who
are credited with Microsoft Office Specialist in schools will be much better
placed for the work force. We estimate that 95% of people in New Zealand are
using Microsoft software at work so what better way to kick start your career
than obtaining Microsoft certification in school”.
Generation XP was one of four Government Digital Opportunities Projects introduced
to trial the effectiveness of IT systems, training and broadband internet connectivity
in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning for students.
Education Minster Trevor Mallard comments "I welcome this and other specialist
ICT qualifications being formally recognised on the framework. This will encourage
students developing a wide range of skills."
Generation XP ensures quality technology qualifications are available in schools
and had been piloted in a number of secondary schools in West Auckland and
Gisborne. The pilot has been hugely successful and the Ministry of Education
have also announced that they are keen to enrol a further 20 schools into the
Generation XP programme.
Judy Henderson from Rutherford Girls has been a keen supporter of Microsoft
Office Specialist in schools for the past 2 years. “As part of the pilot
programme we were donated some free courses and the students have really been
making the most of this opportunity. Being based in a low socio-economic area,
many of our students leave school and go straight into the workforce so having
an internationally recognised qualification that equips them for this transition
has been great”.
Microsoft is the first desktop vendor dependent certification available in
schools and heralds a huge turning point for education providers and future
job seekers.
Microsoft Office Specialist certification programme has been granted credit
inclusion for the National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level
2 (21 credit equivalents) and Level 3 (14 credit equivalents).
Press Contact:
Catherine Lucas
021 56 8092
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