Professionalizing the Profession

David Millier, Top-ranking Security Authority, Board Member Sector Advisory Council

Canadian IT Manager's Blog — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:16:16 GMT

This is the next blog in the continuing series of interviews with top-echelon and renowned professionals.

re: Professionalizing the Profession

Stephen Ibaraki — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:29:39 GMT

This letter from the Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, says a lot:

http://www.cips.ca/50anniversary/congratulatory/Prime_Minister_CIPS_2008.pdf

Best regards,

Stephen

re: Professionalizing the Profession

Stephen Ibaraki — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:17:40 GMT

David O'leary,

As a former faculty member in the post-secondary system, I am very appreciative of your comments and to see this strong support from academic administration. There is so much in the news about IT, where it is going, and more. The IP3 program provides a unifying direction for students, faculty, schools, IT workers, industry, business, government, academia, society, and IT-related associations/groups.

Best regards,

Stephen

re: Professionalizing the Profession

Stephen Ibaraki — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:08:54 GMT

Hello Moira,

An international standard which allows mobility and recognition for all. Truly, the time has come for information technology. What strikes me is that, this program does what the other professions have been unable to do -- again IT practitioners lead the way.

Cheers,

Stephen

re: Professionalizing the Profession

Stephen Ibaraki — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:04:43 GMT

Hello P. Lang,

It's the same kind of response that I'm hearing repeatedly from the field. Students wants something to grab hold of, to ignite their imaginations, and this program speaks to Careers.

Thank you for your thoughtful comments.

Cheers,

Stephen

re: Professionalizing the Profession

P Lang — Sun, 11 May 2008 13:41:06 GMT

What a revelation! A well written piece Graham that I sent to my colleagues in all divisions so count us all in. It is all so upside and it is about time. I speak in the schools and this makes a difference.

re: Professionalizing the Profession

Moira de Roche — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:36:03 GMT

Well, all these mostly positive comments really make my heart happy, and I'm also pleased to have someone say he doesn't think it's a good idea. It's all to easy to feel safe and warm about what we are trying to do, but we need to be challenged from time to time - otherwise those who are for the idea are just patting each other on the back.

Well, I'm from Africa. And I am very sad by how often people are judged by where they come from. The perception (incorrectly as it happens) is that those who have obtained their degrees in developing countries are somehow "not of the same quality" as those who have graduated in first world countries. An international accreditation will allow everyone to be judged against a common standard. The ways of obtaining the professional qualification will differ from country to country, but will be measured against the standard. Far from discriminating against anyone (which I believe is the case right now), it will allow everyone to be judged equally.

And anyone who prefers to opt out of IITP, well that's your prerogative. I don't believe it does the industry any good though - IT people are often perceived by business as "not following any rules". IITP will prove that those who obtain the "gold standard" have the necessary knowledge AND susbscribe to a code of ethics. So it will change the perception of IT people for the good.

re: Professionalizing the Profession

Sue — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:14:00 GMT

Excellent article Graham. It is all upside for us. I can't wait.

re: Professionalizing the Profession

Stephen Ibaraki — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:26:33 GMT

Graham, I appreciate your kind words and thank you for writing such an important blog on an initiative that produces cultural, social, business, and organizational transformation in all areas of the work and for all IT practitioners, no matter what their roles. For the first time there is global, industry, business, governmental, and academia support and represents an inflection point in history for IT as a profession. It is a milestone where there is a coming together from every sector for a common cause.

In a matter of a few weeks, with six recent keynotes/presentations on this topic, the response is uniformly positive from the audience since it is about elevating the profession but also the value of the IT practitioner.

Remarkable time!

Cheers,

Stephen

re: Professionalizing the Profession

Stephen Ibaraki — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:13:43 GMT

Hi Tim,

>>Is this message getting out to the schools?>>

That’s a good question. In North America, there has been a decline in enrolments of up to 70% beginning in 2002. This is due to a number of reasons:

- persistent poor public perception of IT

- lack of a career path, progression, recognition, rewards

- the need for a sense of common identity

- the ability for the voice of the IT practitioner to be heard

Just a few weeks ago, I was invited as a business and technology professional to be the opening keynote at the National Council of IT Deans summit. It was specifically to address current trends in IT and to look at ways to resolve the falling enrolments. Key messages for IT workers are around supporting skills growth, helping to make connection and thus foster a sense of common identity through community engagement, and to help manage change. The IFIP program will support these components and more. As the Deans summit, I talked about the IFIP global certification program. The IP3 program will support addressing the falling enrolments since it provides recognition of the value of the IT worker, provides a career path, and a sense of common identity that comes from a worldwide globally recognized profession, plus a platform and vehicle for the voice of the IT worker to be heard. There is tremendous support and encouragement as a result for the IT worker and this resonates with students who are looking for a rewarding long-term career.

There's also the work of the Canadian Coalition for Tomorrow's ICT Skills which has representation from all sectors and the focus is on highlighting the value of IT, the profession, and the IT worker. A key objective is to support schools and in making IT more attractive.

Thank you for your question,

Stephen