Specialised diplomas for 14- to 19-year-olds are on the horizon – including one for IT. Expected to be ready for teaching in September 2008, the diploma is in the first stages of development. e-Skills UK is asking IT managers to give their input on the IT education programme.

Employers are being asked to give input on:

1. The key skills young people leaving school should have mastered
2. How work experience can be made beneficial for both students and employers
3. The appropriate balance between technical and business knowledge, and additional learning (It’s been suggested a two-thirds, one-third split for 16 to 19-year-olds.)
4. If candidates should have to achieve a minimum standard in all areas of study

You can access the full questionnaire on the e-Skills UK website.

I took a moment to ask our own IT manager, Kathryn Corrick, to share her thoughts on the subject:

1. “The key skill, I feel, is being able to communicate with your colleagues,” Corrick said.

This ability is much more important than acutal knowledge of how a computer works or programming languages, she said, because often the solution to “IT” problems is easily identified in conversation. While it is not always true, there is a presumption that IT people do not possess social skills, and Corrick said that the IT education programme should somehow help those students who need to improve their communication skills. Corrick suggested incorporating presentations as part of the cirriculum, but otherwise left such decisions to the education experts.

2. When it comes to work experience, “observation is just as important as doing,” Corrick said.
Work experience, should last a minimum of two weeks, but no more than four. From an employers perspective it should be done when students are at least 16, although the difference in maturity levels between 16 and 19-year-olds will determine what tasks can be given to the student, Corrick said.
3. “Companies don’t do technology for technology’s sake,” Corrick said. “Companies use and develop technology because it makes the company money or is part of the core business strategy.”

So a balanced education programme that includes classes in business would give students a broader understanding of how the business world works, which Corrick said is valued by the employer and helps the student put their work in context.

4. “If these skills are all ‘key’, then obviously there should be a minimum standard for them,” Corrick said.

Based on past experience with interns and job applicants, Corrick has noticed a severe lack of comprehension of basic English and Maths skills. Graduates should be able to spell, use grammar and punctuation correctly, type… not to much to ask, really.

As for technical skills, Corrick would expect any IT employee to have a reasonable understanding of basic software, expecially Microsoft Excel. (Though broadly speaking, she feels everyone should be able to use a spreadsheet.) When it comes to online technologies, leaving students should understand codes like CSS, HTML or PHP, rather than relying on software like Dreamweaver or Front Page that are not used in all workplaces.