MoD makes ready for change with QA
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is taking pro-active steps to ensure their IT support staff are ready for future and current change, with a bespoke certification programme designed by QA, the UK's Training Company of the Year 2005.
The programme, developed in response to the MoD's decision to outsource its IT function, provides a custom-built learning curriculum leading to the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) qualification. Named Adapto, and coined 'Fit to stay, Fit to go', the programme will ensure that over 200 MoD staff have a demonstrable baseline level of skill in preparation for moving to the outsourcer. An entry level network support certification, the MCDST will provide a competitive advantage should they choose to seek employment outside the MOD.
Launched in 2004, the ongoing programme is designed to take staff three months to complete. Including skills-assessment and online support, as well as an intensive five-day residential course, the flexible nature of the programme ensures that the learning needs of individuals are fulfilled.
Regional manager for Defence Communications Service Agency (DCSA) South Wales, Philip Rotherham, explains, "The Adapto programme has been a tremendous success so far, and has since been expanded across other areas of the MoD, including the Royal Navy and RAF. It gave our staff the opportunity to compete head-to-head with their industry peers, as well as representing a renewed recognition of the value of accreditation of employees within the MoD. The programme as a whole has had a very positive impact on staff morale during a period of significant change and has increased interaction between staff to discuss issues and solve problems.
"We believe that the innovative programme created by QA really enhanced the experience for our staff. As well as the benefits of the course's structure, the trainers really made it a success through their enthusiasm and an ability to understand the varying needs of learners. With this course in place, we can feel confident that our engineers are fully equipped for the next stage of their careers."
Ram Dhaliwal, manager for training and certification, Microsoft UK, explained further: "The MCDST has enjoyed real success in the UK. Take up has grown at an average rate of 50% per quarter over the last year and it provides a great initial qualification for a career in IT. QA is one of our most acclaimed CPLS training partners and, using MCDST as the basis for this programme with the MoD, they have delivered a flexible, effective training programme that combines many different elements of learning and exactly meets the need of the MoD as an organisation and the careers of its IT staff longer term. This is a great example of a training scheme that we at Microsoft expect to see more of in the future."
Brian Sutton, Director of Learning, at QA commented: "We are delighted to support a learning initiative that is of strategic importance to the MoD. This innovative programme has prepared MoD IT support staff for a critical time of change, as they prepare for a different working environment."
"The customised element of the course was central to its success," Sutton added. "We designed the bespoke solution to meet the unique challenges of the MoD. Because of the blended nature of the programme, we guaranteed a tight management of costs for the client, while ensuring the delegates had a strong support environment with a range of learning materials, mentoring and group tuition."