IT Labour Shortages, Jobs on the Rise: Need for Professionalism--professional certification

re: IT Labour Shortages, Jobs on the Rise: Need for Professionalism--professional certification

Faye Lear — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 02:45:06 GMT

I'm liking what I seeing here and Martin does a great piece writing about these events. Thank you to Martin. I want to hear more from cips about their work. It is the right time, right place, right moment in the industry for this kind of leadership.

re: IT Labour Shortages, Jobs on the Rise: Need for Professionalism--professional certification

Stephen Ibaraki, FCIPS,I.S.P., sibaraki@cips.ca — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 15:49:03 GMT

Faye,

Your analysis hits the mark: and I would add, the right time for CIPS (pronounced KIPS with a hard “C”).

I recommend this link to delve into the details of the I.S.P.:
http://www.cips.ca/standards/isp/

CIPS also has a bi-weekly newsletter which discusses issues impacting professionals and the industry plus news for our members:
http://www.cips.ca/news/

I'm often asked, Who is CIPS?
CIPS is the largest, oldest, and most influential “Canadian” voice of the IT practitioner and a strong advocate of professionalism.

With its nearly 50-year history, CIPS is a founding member and board member of the IFIP (International Federation of Information Processing) which consists of the official IT societies in more than 60 countries. Moreover CIPS holds two board seats with the international US-based ICCP (Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals); an affiliate membership with the South East Asia Regional Computer Federation; holds formal ties with the British, Australian, and New Zealand Computer Societies; has relationships with major associations, and accreditation groups. CIPS is also very well respected globally and for this reason CIPS was granted and then hosted the biennial IFIP World Computing Congress in 2002. With ties to this organization (IFIP) and to major government, industry, and academic bodies, the installation of new initiatives goes through a rigorous due diligence process since what CIPS does has implications that go far beyond the society. For example, actions CIPS’ takes can affect new government legislation, international trade law, academic programs, employment standards, relations with other professional bodies, new industry initiatives, and even items like the GATS agreement and the EPA (Emergency Preparedness Act). CIPS also has the only government legislated professional designation (called the I.S.P.—Information Systems Professional) akin to the designations found in the accounting, legal, medical, and engineering professions. The I.S.P. (Information Systems Professional) designation/certification from CIPS integrates computer science, information systems, business, and demonstrated high-end professional-level practice and development. Moreover, CIPS has an accreditation program for universities and colleges. 44% of the membership are managers and officers in organizations and the membership represents more than 2000 corporations, government agencies, and other entities. In addition, CIPS hosts the largest educational professionalism conference in Canada for the IT Industry: INFORMATICS.

CIPS’ long history integrating with all elements: IT professional, industry, education, media, and government provide a past strategic foundation for enabling the success of IT and business professionals, corporations and organizations.

_______________

Thank you,
Stephen Ibaraki, FCIPS, I.S.P.

re: IT Labour Shortages, Jobs on the Rise: Need for Professionalism--professional certification

Stephen Ibaraki, FCIPS,I.S.P., sibaraki@cips.ca — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 01:29:15 GMT

(May 28, 2005)--The Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) announced the revamping of a professional designation for Information Technology (IT) workers. The Information Systems Professional (I.S.P.) of Canada designation is being strengthened and is now available to academics, IT leaders and experienced IT professionals, three groups of IT workers that were not eligible for the designation previously.

“The need for an IT designation that acknowledges senior executives and educators as well as the broad range of IT experts in our profession is vital in meeting today’s technology demands. Considering the potential technology mishaps that can occur and may even endanger lives, these IT leaders need to take a leadership role in ensuring that those they direct and mentor act ethically and have the necessary education and experience to practice…and that they themselves are continuously keeping their IT knowledge current,” said Dennis Hulme I.S.P., CIPS President (2005-2006).

CIPS will officially launch the new I.S.P. designation program during I.S.P. Week (October 16-23, 2006). While CIPS puts the finishing touches on the program, the association is starting a campaign to educate the industry about the benefits of the improved designation, starting at the INFORMATICS IT conference (May 28 to May 30, 2006).

Other key improvements to strengthen the I.S.P. designation include the creation of a Body of Knowledge and the revision of the Code of Ethics:

The CIPS Body of Knowledge is a tool to help employers to accurately assess the technical skills of IT workers. This will help companies to plan work assignments and help select the most appropriate employees for their needs.

The CIPS Code of Ethics is a newly revised guide to professional conduct for today's standards. The Code is designed to help guide IT workers in maintaining the highest level of ethical conduct, standards of practice and integrity with respect to their IT activities.

“I believe the new and improved I.S.P. designation, the Body of Knowledge and Code of Ethics, will help address current compliance laws, encourage ethical behaviour, help mitigate technology risk, and ensure that best security practices are followed,” said Kerry Augustine I.S.P., a Director at Great West Life in Winnipeg.

Under the enhanced I.S.P. designation, there will be three new qualifications for IT workers:
New Qualification #1: Established Academics – This qualification is aimed at educators in Canadian universities or equivalent.

New Qualification #2: IT Leaders – This qualification is directed to senior IT leaders who are responsible for IT strategies, resources, and operations at their organization.

New Qualification #3: Established IT Professionals – This qualification is aimed at established IT professionals who possess professional IT experience but may not hold a traditional IT degree.

The new I.S.P. designation qualifications still maintain the high standards of the designation.

“We strongly urge chief technology and information officers to become I.S.P. holders under the new qualification #2: IT leaders. They need to lead by example. The designation is a way for them to demonstrate to their customers, clients and the public that their IT departments meet the highest of standards,” added Hulme.

The I.S.P. is the only designation for IT professionals recognized by law in Canada. It was introduced in 1989 by CIPS, Canada’s association of IT professionals and is legislated as a self regulating designation in six provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Other provinces are working towards similar legislation through their provincial government.

Holders of the I.S.P. designation possess the education and experience to practice in the field of IT. Holders also abide by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and are required to keep their professional knowledge current.

For more information about the I.S.P. designation, Body of Knowledge and Code of Ethics, visit the CIPS National Web site: www.cips.ca or www.cips.ca/standards.