1. Unit 1 Fundamentals of IT
LO4 – Understand employability and communication skills used in an IT environment
4.6 – Professional Bodies
4.7 – Industry Certification

2. 4.6 - Professional Bodies

3. Starter
Which of these following bodies have you heard of or recongise?

4. Lesson Objectives
Be aware of professional bodies in area of IT and Computing
Understand the purpose of a professional body
Explain the benefits and limitations of being a member of professional body for:
Employers
Workers themselves

5. What is a professional body?
A professional body or institute is an organisation set up to represent and promote the profession of IT/Computing and the members interest in the specific field of work.
Professional bodies are non-profit and funds itself by each member paying an annual fee.
What do they do:
Set standards for the profession
People join and become members
May have to meet certain professional standard to join
Some act as societies
Some even certificate qualifications
May have to be a member to work in a specific field.
A typical structure of an institute is:
An elected executive board with a chairman or president.
A number of committees to represent special interest groups
A membership system
A resource facility such as a library and other educational resources
A communication method such as a monthly magazines and web site

6. Activity 1
You are to put yourselves in the shoes of a head of an IT firm. You are to created an information document for members of your workforce to explain the 2 main professional bodies:
BCS
UK IT Association
Your document must explain:
The purpose and role of each of the professional bodies
What benefits they offer
What limitations there are
Summary on which is most useful and why

7. 4.7 –Industry Certification

8. Starter
What are the benefits and drawbacks of going to university or going straight into work/apprenticeship?

9. Lesson Objectives
Have an understanding of different industry certifications.
Understand why gaining an industry certification is useful
What benefits and limitations do certifications have on the employers and the workers themselves

10. Industry Certifications
Certified course and training
National & International Recognition
Shows levels of knowledge, understanding and experience in specific areas
Provides opportunity to achieve new skills and knowledge
Examples: Cisco and CompTia
Can you find out any more?

11. Activity “Industry certification is better than a degree”
Research the following motion:
“Industry certification is better than a degree”
Find out whether UK companies are for or against the motion.
Then write a summary report on pros and cons for both industrial certification and subject-based degrees with a conclusion on your findings