ECDL Foundation Newsletter
                                  - January 2014

Welcome

to the latest edition of the ECDL Foundation Newsletter. All articles featured in this HTML version can be read in full in a downloadable PDF version of the newsletter.

ECDL / ICDL in Action
                                        Around the World

Advanced

Quality Assurance Systems and Ministry of Science and Communications, Sudan, Sign a Partnership Cooperation Agreement

The

Advanced Quality Assurance Systems (AQAS), the ICDL National Operator, has signed a partnership cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Science and Communications in Sudan in order to train employees in ICT skills. The Sudanese Government will recognise both the national ICT skills licence and ICDL for job promotion, appointment, etc. Read more.


ICDL

Iran Launches ICDL Profile

ICDL

Iran celebrated the formal launch of ICDL Profile on 28 December 2013 - candidates can now register for ICDL Profile, get their new skills card, and take the tests. Read more.


German

Government Finance Office Becomes an Accredited Test Centre to Equip Trainees With Computer Skills

The

German Government Finance Office (Oberfinanzdirektion Koblenz) is introducing ECDL certification to ensure their new financial officers have uniform skills in the use of computers. Read more.


Spotlight

on New ICDL Africa Test Centres - Kenya & Somalia

The

Nkabune Technical Training Institute, a public technical and vocational training institute offering certificate and diploma courses under the Ministry of Education, is the first TVET in the Mount Kenya Region to introduce ICDL certification, whereas the Jazeera University, Mogadishu, becomes the first university in Somalia to adopt the ICDL certification. Read more.


Nigerian

Federal Road Safety Corps Excel at ICDL

ICDL’s

largest Accredited Test Centre (ATC) in Nigeria, E-Tech Complete Solutions, has been in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) since 2012, bringing ICDL to Government officials across Nigeria. To date nearly 450 staff have taken over 3000 ICDL exams. Read more.


For Discussion

Good

Digital Habits to Pick Up in 2014

Every

January, around the world, talk turns to New Year’s resolutions, positive change and good intentions. But in fact, many of the ‘join a gym’ and ‘eat more fruit’ resolutions have already been abandoned by mid-January. Good news. Having better digital habits isn’t as joyless as ‘no sugar in coffee’ and ‘run 5 km a day’, and you’ll be so glad you got them. Avoiding viruses, less ‘sharing’, more back-ups and safer internet use could be a lot more beneficial in the long run too.
Read some of our tips for a better digital life in 2014 that might just be resolutions worth making.

Research & Reports

International

Access and Use in 2013: Digital Divides Persist

A new Eurostat report reveals that strong disparities remain among EU Member States regarding Internet access and use. Around one third or more of individuals in Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Cyprus and Poland have never used the Internet. Overall in the EU, 62% of individuals use the Internet on a daily basis, however, this figure varies significantly according to age and the level of education. The proportion of regular Internet users aged 16-24 (94%) is more than double that of those aged 55-74 (46%). Similarly, the figure for individuals with a high level of education (93%) was nearly twice that for those with a low level of education (48%). Read more about Internet Access and Use in 2013.


New

Report Says Skills Shortage is Causing Major Business Problems

Despite

more people looking for work more than a quarter of European employers are struggling to fill vacancies due to a lack of skills, says research from McKinsey management consultants. The report calls for a better alignment between the worlds of education and employment, warning that education providers are being over-optimistic about the employability of their graduates. The journey from education to employment can be improved, for instance, by subsidising vocational courses which are viewed as more helpful to finding a job. Employers can also play a role by funding training programmes for promising young talent, says the report. Read More.


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