2. What is e-Quals? A range of 7 IT qualifications from City & Guilds Made up of individual units from word processing to website design, from networking to Java Ranging from beginner to advanced levels For basic office users to IT Professionals specialising in systems support or software development Based on the skills that employers really want With links to Microsoft, Oracle and CompTIA Approved by the Qualification and Curriculum Authority and endorsed by e-Skills UK

3. e-Quals offers three routes to IT skills IT User Qualifications IT Practitioner Systems Support IT Practitioner Software Development Level 1Certificate Level 2Diploma Level 3Advanced Diploma

4. Support ●Teaching and Learning Support A range of support materials from Heinemann and Hodder & Stoughton ●Log on to: www.e-quals.co.uk Guide to online testing, sample tests, FAQ’s, the latest product updates and news, free access to all scheme documentation 24 hours a day ●Technical Support Telephone and email support, set-up pack, site visit if required ●Smartscreen Career Services, including CV builder and job database, discussion forums, study aids, course information

5. Marketing support We help you to win business by supplying you with: ●glossy brochures ●posters ●local PR support ●support for your local IT events. We continuously raise the profile of e-Quals nationwide by being present at major exhibitions and by undertaking PR and advertising campaigns.

6. e-Quals update ●880 centres approved ●80,000 online tests taken ●Support materials: Heinemann:User level 1 & 2 (new) System Support level 2 Hodder:User level 1 & 2 System Support level 2 Software Development SmartScreen:Extensive coverage of awards

7. e-Quals update continued Enhanced scheme documentation: ●sample tests ●glossary ●worked examples of assignments ●more detailed version of syllabus.

8. City & Guilds e-Quals incorporating Microsoft Office Specialist

9. City & Guilds IT user incorporating Microsoft Office Specialist ●Current model ●Issues ●New model ●Benefits ●Next steps

10. Current model City & Guilds Diploma for IT users IT Principles Word Processing Spreadsheets Database Presentation Graphics Electronic Communication City & Guilds Advanced Diploma for IT Users Word Processing Spreadsheets Microsoft Office Specialist Word Core Excel Core Access Core PowerPoint Core Outlook core Word Expert Excel Expert

11. Issues ●Complicated mapping ●Requires further coverage of Microsoft Office Specialist objectives (currently met by enhanced assignments) ●Assessment burden 4 e-Quals assignments 2 Microsoft Office Specialist tests

12. New model City & GuildsMicrosoft Office Specialist IT Principlesany two of: (assignment only)- Word - Excel - Access - PowerPoint - Outlook City & Guilds Diploma for IT Users or: City & Guilds Advanced Diploma for IT Users (level 3 IT Principles and Expert Microsoft Office Specialist units)

13. Advantages of the new model ●2 qualifications – 1 training programme ●Less assessment (3 assessments rather than 6) ●No complicated mapping ●Suitable support materials ●Price - £50 at level 2 £55 at level 3 ●Will attract funding

14. Next steps ●Full QCA accreditation – went before the accreditation panel Monday 17 May ●Will be made available to centres to register candidates

15. City & Guilds e-Quals incorporating A+

16. City & Guilds Diploma in System Support ●Current model ●Issues ●New model ●Benefits ●Next steps

17. Current model City & Guilds System Support Lv 2 401Maintain equipment and systems + 402 Customer support provision + 403 Install and configure equipment and operating systems + 407 Repair Centre Procedure + (405 Systems testing) A + Hardware Service Technician + Operating Systems

18. Issues ●Complicated mapping ●Requires further coverage of A+ objectives ●Assessment burden 7 e-Quals assignments 2 A+ tests

19. New model City & Guilds System Support Lv 2A+ 401 Maintain equipment and systemsHardware Service (assignment only)Technician+ 402 Customer Support ProvisionOperating Systems (assignment only) Equivalent to Diploma in System Support

20. Advantages of the new model ●2 qualifications – 1 training programme ●Less assessment (4 assessments rather than 9) ●No complicated mapping ●Suitable support materials ●Price ●Will attract funding

21. Next steps ●Informal accreditation given ●Centres will be able to register candidates once formal approval is received

22. Contact details City & Guilds 1 Giltspur Street London EC1A 9DD T +44 (0)20 7294 2468 www.e-quals.co.uk paulm@city-and-guilds.co.uk