C&IT SKILLS
This report offers a map to help higher education institutions develop a workforce with strong C&IT skills.
Executive Summary
“While the effective adoption of C&IT in higher education requires appropriate technology, adequate resources and staff development, success depends on the effective management of change. The development and implementation of an integrated C&IT strategy will be one of the main challenges facing managers of higher education institutions.” (13:10)
“We recommend that all higher education institutions should develop managers who combine a deep understanding of Communications and Information Technology with senior management experience.” (Recommendation 42)
“We recommend that all higher education institutions in the UK should have in place overarching communications and information strategies by 1999/2000.” (Recommendation 41)
The above statements are taken from the report of the 1997 National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education (the Dearing Report) and they provided a starting point for this project. They also represent something of a ‘catch 22’. The report identified the need for strategic planning. It identified the need for C&IT literate managers and outlined the challenges that face them. However, unless a Higher Education Institution (HEI) takes deliberate steps to grow its own C&IT capable workforce then it will be difficult to deploy technology to anything like its full potential. A C&IT skills development strategy which positions the institution and sets targets is essential to the planning process.
This report offers a map to help higher education institutions develop a workforce with strong C&IT skills. The map is based on the following, which have been identified as elements in an effective C&IT skills development strategy:
- A strategic framework for C&IT skills
- C&IT skills for all – or only some – staff?
- C&IT infrastructure and desktop provision
- Appropriate C&IT skills for staff
- C&IT training and development
- Help and support when using C&IT
- C&IT qualifications and professional development
- C&IT skills and recruitment
- C&IT skills and promotion
The report describes the relationships between these elements, and identifies actions that will embed C&IT skills within the fabric of an institution. Since there is no single starting point and therefore no single route, readers are invited to produce their own route map by completing a strategic planning web – an exercise that has still greater value as part of a formal planning process, where the final version becomes the agreed outcome of a longer consultation process between different interests.