Best practice in Continuous Professional Development
Too often, there is a disconnect between training providers and the professionals to whom they offer professional development opportunities. A very positive example of overcoming this can be seen in the partnership between Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet and Iasa Global, an IT professional organisation represented in Ireland by the Irish Computer Society, the professional body for IT in Ireland.
This initiative highlights the benefits from relationship building and is an example of the best practice that enables IT professionals and training providers to support each other. Continuous professional development is a key identifier of professionalism, and as IT Architects keep abreast of new developments and engage in routine upskilling, training providers like ICT Skillnet are empowered and supported to develop and procure such training. Collaboration with professional bodies like the Irish Computer Society (and Iasa Global), the local further and higher education institutions (Technological University Dublin) underpins the professional and academic credentials of the programmes.
This strategic partnership began in Autumn 2022, and initially focuses on two initiatives:
• Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet will fund part of the per person cost of attending the upcoming Iasa CITA-Foundation (https://www.ictskillnet.ie/training/iasa-foundation-course/) level course being held in Dublin during October.
• Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet will fund part of the cost of client specific Iasa CITA-Foundation courses scheduled before the end of 2022 for private or commercial semi state organisations registered in the Republic of Ireland. These classes will be delivered onsite with clients and require minimum attendee numbers.
Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet and Iasa Global, supported by the Irish Computer Society, plan to expand this partnership through 2023 and beyond to incorporate community activities, events, and additional programs to broaden the skills of the business technology architecture community. Additional programs will include the CITA-Foundation and CITA-Associate architect career pathway courses, short courses on Architect skills for Business People, Introduction to Architect Skills for Developers, Value of Architecture for C-Suite and CITA-Professional/Distinguished architect board certification programs.
“We welcome this announcement, which will further enhance our ambition to professionalise the business technology architect career pathways in Ireland,” said Dave Feenan, Network Manager of Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet. “Iasa Global brings universally acclaimed domain expertise to this partnership, affording the embracement of new skills, methodologies and theory to this prestigious and much-sought after job role.”
Leo Peyton, the Commercial Director of Iasa Global, added that he “was looking forward to beginning this strategic partnership with Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet and bringing these programs to an even larger community in the years ahead. This is an opportunity to develop the skills, competencies, and career pathways not only of existing and aspiring IT architects, but also those who interact with these teams.”
He added that Ireland “has long been a leader in developing this profession and in understanding the digital advantage and value to an organisation of a highly skilled, world class architect practice. This is another example of that leadership, and we are very excited to work with the community here to develop this further.”
