Conference
Conference Aim
The International Programming Committee of the Working Conference ICT Professionalism, a global challenge encourages experts, policymakers, researchers, stakeholders and everyone involved, to submit a contribution and participate in an in depth exchange of ideas and experiences.
The conference goal:
- To present the state of the art of professionalism initiatives, e-Skills frameworks and e-competence framework initiatives, including pitfalls, success and progress.
- To present points of view from: business and industry, education, international organizations, government, social partners (employers and unions) and others.
- Exchange of information.
- Contribute to co-operation.
It is the conference aim to be a meeting place for experts in the field from all over the world.
An IFIP working conference
IPROF-09, the working conference on “ICT Professionalism: a global challenge” is organised by IFIP Technical Committee 3 (Education) through its Working Groups 3.2 (Higher Education) and 3.4 (Professional and Vocational Education in Information Technology) in a tradition of working conferences.
Other IFIP conferences on this subject:
- September 2008, 8, 9 and 10: WCC 2008 Milan: ICT Professionalism and Competences.
- 2002 IFIP working Conference “Meeting Global IT Skills Needs – the Role of Professionalism”, Woking, UK.
Conference background
Near the end of the previous century, ICT professionals, professional organizations, international organizations, business and industry, social partners and governments from all over the world showed a severe concern about shortages of qualified ICT personnel.
Insufficient availability has been addressed as a gap or a mismatch between supply and demand of skilled and qualified ICT personnel, both in a quantitative and a qualitative way.
A growing mobility of employees and students asks for tools to bring transparency in the jungle of ICT function and task descriptions, diplomas and certificates.
Moreover, ICT awareness of citizens in general is indicated to be below an acceptable level for participation in an information society.
The mismatch and lack of awareness are specified as serious factors in influencing future economic growth and development and participation of citizens in society.
Parties involved felt themselves responsible and started to contribute to initiatives to better understanding international ICT labour market issues.
A lot of effort has already been put into projects, labour market research, taskforces, harmonization of diplomas and certification, conferences and declarations. In many cases parties are successfully cooperating in research studies, keeping each other informed about progress, views and operations.