Attempts by the British Computer Society (BCS) to promote IT as a chartered profession have so far made limited progress but the assistance of peer groups, government and IT suppliers may help to attract more support.
In May, the BCS effectively made a second stab at promoting chartered status for IT professionals, as part of a wider attempt to make technology better understood.
In April last year it said that it would award Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status to members with appropriate skills. So far, CITP status has been conferred on some 10,000 BCS members but the BCS hopes to double this number within three years.
The BCS's latest push involves creating a steering group from leaders of IT trade groups, government and suppliers. They include Katie Davies of the Cabinet Office IT team, Bob Assirati of the Office of Government Commerce and John Higgins, director general of IT trade group Intellect, as well as the BCS's John Leighfield.
With such outside assistance, the BCS hopes to make CITP a more recognisable brand for recruiters. "It's really a programme that tries to improve professionalism in IT," commented David Clarke, BCS chief executive, who has overseen an increase in membership of about 14,000 for the 49-year-old institution in the last year. "There are 1.2 million people working in IT in the UK and we haven't got enough jobs requiring certification."
Some CITPs said they have found the process worthwhile. Roger Crawford, who co-ordinates a University of Huddersfield teacher training course in IT, said, "It helps establish my credibility with potential students who currently work in the industry and need to know that I understand their background."
Crawford added that the qualification also helps with "colleagues in universities who tend to be dismissive of the capability of those with a background in secondary education; teachers in secondary schools who tend to regard universities as ivory towers; and other colleagues who are concerned to establish competence".
Intellect director Nick Kalisperas said the addition of Katie Davies brings a responsibility to respond to public-sector change. "We have to also be aware of how we help small and medium-sized enterprises," he added.
The CITP scheme has won plaudits from institutions not directly involved, including the National Computing Centre (NCC).
Michael Gough, the NCC's chief executive, said, "I applaud the BCS's leadership in this initiative and fully support its drive for greater professionalism on the supply and demand side of the industry." He added that for the UK to retain its position as a leading knowledge economy, IT must be seen as "a career of choice and recognised as a key enabler of business success".
