BCS Membership

[garethEds]

Even though I am a Head of ICT/ICT Coordinator in a school am I classed as an ICT Professional and therefore allowed/eligible to join the BCS?

 

As a lot of ICT Teachers I do not have a degree in ICT or Computing (mine is in Environmental Science) but I am currently studying for a BSc in Information and Communication Technologies. Would I be better joining as a student?

 

Naturally I want to join as I do see myself as an ICT Professional - but are teachers classed as this?

 

Gareth

[GrumbleDook]

I've actually been asking the same. Here is the link to the response from UKDarkStar over on Certforums.

BCS Transformation - spreading the word - CertForums

[garethEds]

Doesn't really answer your (or mine) question though does it?

 

I wonder if I should email them direct.

 

GJE

[UKDarkstar]

Hi Guys

 

Back to browsing around here as I'm looking at a job app to a local school and need to get up to speed again.

 

My post over at Certforums was to do with the fact that the BCS are looking at closer links with those in education.

 

However, membership is on criteria of your experience (number of years and technical competance). From what I've read here I would say that most school ICT Managers who are hands-on involved with their networks and have been doing so for over 5 years would qualify for MBCS (you'll appreciate it's not my decision).

 

When applying you do send a CV and are asked to nominate a supporter who can confirm what you've done. As long as you can do this and demonstrate your skill then you would meet the grade as it were.

 

There is a new online application form available now on the new-style BCS website too - BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

 

I am always struck by the fact that we struggle to get school IT techs to get involved locally (whether BCS members or not). The BCS is not elitist and focussed just around IT graduates (although I grant it sometimes appears that way). Like anything, you just need to get involved. Do that and you'll find you can link up with many like-minded professionals locally.

 

If any of the Dorset/Hamsphire techs want more info then I'd be happy to oblige (I am Secretary & Events Manager for Dorset Branch).

 

We want more, and different, members in the BCS to give a broad spectrum of skills and backgrounds - try it and see !

[garethEds]

Thanks for the reply.

 

I think I will look into it.

 

GJE

[UKDarkstar]

Thanks for the reply.

 

I think I will look into it.

 

GJE

 

It would probably be worthwhile contacting your local branch too and making yourself known.

 

I think you would come under South Wales which you can find more info on here :

 

Home : BCS South Wales Branch

[russdev]

Also if person being nominated is Charter status (number on here) then application gets approved/fast tracked (As long meet minimum requirements). I am not Charter status but I am BCS member and need if you need a supporter etc

 

I do not think there is any major issue I think you will be fine as your job also included Network Manager etc. Where is Ken when you want him as he is source of all knowledge on BCS??

 

Russ

Edited September 28, 2009 by russdev

[russdev]

Also there is a schools working party within BSC but they where waiting after the transformation to see which direction the party was going.

 

Russ

[jsnetman]

CITP it's a bit expensive and then £120 quid a year. I only see it as an advantage if you were running your own business or a freelance IT person.

[garethEds]

It would probably be worthwhile contacting your local branch too and making yourself known.

 

I think you would come under South Wales which you can find more info on here :

 

Home : BCS South Wales Branch

 

I see I need a CV - not done one of them in years.

 

Don't fancy nominating me do you?

 

GJE

[UKDarkstar]

I see I need a CV - not done one of them in years.

 

Don't fancy nominating me do you?

 

GJE

 

It would be better for someone from your local area to nominate you tbh, hence my reason for saying you should get to know them

[UKDarkstar]

CITP it's a bit expensive and then £120 quid a year. I only see it as an advantage if you were running your own business or a freelance IT person.

 

Not really. There are jobs starting to appear now using SFIAplus level 5 as the job description and it is very much viewed as being desired by some larger employers.

 

There is a whole push from the BCS (the "Transformation") to get Chartered status much more recognised and the system for Chartered approval is changing as well as introducing a comeptancy certificate :

 

For those of us who are already CITP (Charterd) the situation is that :

 

Existing CITPs (except those who choose to become Assessors) will be unaffected by these changes

and will retain their current status and post nominal letters. It will be possible for existing CITPs who are currently working in IT and want to gain a Certificate of Current Competence to undertake re-assessment at any time within the next five years. However there is no requirement to do so.

 

Details will appear on the website later in the year. Re-assessment will start in early 2010.

 

For those interested in the new style CITP download this document to find out about the BCS and CITP (on page 5) :

 

http://www.bcs.org//upload/pdf/transformation-update-sep09.pdf

Edited September 28, 2009 by UKDarkstar

[UKDarkstar]

Where is Ken when you want him as he is source of all knowledge on BCS??

 

Russ

 

 

By all means PM me anytime also. As Branch Secretary for Dorset I am "in the know" on many BCS matters from attending the Member Groups Convention and am also standing for the BCS Council shortly (courtesy of Ken's nomination )

[garethEds]

It would be better for someone from your local area to nominate you tbh, hence my reason for saying you should get to know them

 

I'll do my best to get involved and to a meeting.

 

GJE

[russdev]

To be honest i found that even if supporter is not from local area no problem as long as they can vouch for you and your work history.

 

I do agree if you can get involved in local group do as this is something I wish I had time to do.

 

Russ

 

p.s

 

Sorry @darkster i wasn't trying to say you didnt know the answer

Edited September 28, 2009 by russdev

[garethEds]

To be honest i found that even if supporter is not from local area no problem as long as they can vouch for you and your work history.

 

I do agree if you can get involved in local group do as this is something I wish I had time to do.

 

Russ

 

p.s

 

Sorry @darkster i wasn't trying to say you didnt know the answer

 

Feel free to nominate me. My meetings are in Cardiff!

 

GJE

[Chunky]

I was a member around 20 years ago - have things changed? (In real terms that is.)

[UKDarkstar]

I was a member around 20 years ago - have things changed? (In real terms that is.)

 

Yes, I believe so. There were fairly major changes after 2000 and the new Transformation project (which has actually been 59 sep projects running since the start of this year) has started to demonstrate that the BCS has been listening to Members and is now moving very fast to get "up to date".

 

You can get more of a flavour for the changes from the videos here :

 

Videos | Our Transformation | About BCS | BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

 

I can't speak for why you felt it wasn't for you before and I'm not going to twist your arm to join again but why not get along to some of your branches local meetings and see for yourself ?

[nicholab]

I heard that the BCS is like the computing Freemasons!!!!

[UKDarkstar]

I heard that the BCS is like the computing Freemasons!!!!

 

We're not quite that bad ............................................. yet

[somabc]

This is what you used to need to become CITP, has this changed? Have you looked at the "what can I apply for" page?

 

What can I apply for? | Grades | Membership and Networking | BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

 

To become a Chartered IT Professional (CITP), you must meet a number of important criteria:

 

Firstly, when you apply for Chartered status, you will be awarded membership (if you are not already a member), either at Chartered level or, if you are not quite ready, at the most appropriate membership grade.

 

Secondly, you must have 8-10 years of IT work experience; this can be reduced depending on your academic qualifications, but must be a minimum of 5 years. For more information, please see Education and experience.

 

Finally, at least 3 of the past 5 years must have been spent in an IT role with significant influence and responsibility, a challenging range of complex work activities, well-developed business skills, and full accountability. This requirement is defined more fully in SFIA level 5.

 

To become a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) you should have spent at least the last 12 months in a role that demonstrates:

 

* Significant influence and responsibility

* A challenging range of complex work activities

* Full accountability

* Well developed business skills

 

Any individual who is unable to provide evidence of working at SFIAplus Level 5 for the last 12 months (but who has worked at that level in the past) will be assessed and a judgement made by our assessors regarding their suitability and whether further checks which may involve telephone discussions and or interviews are required.

 

Examples may include:

 

* Ill health

* Career break e.g. Maternity leave

* Redundancy

* Further education

 

Further education is defined as CPD which encompasses anything that is of benefit to the individual which furthers their own experience and development.

Edited September 28, 2009 by somabc

[UKDarkstar]

This is what you used to need to become CITP, has this changed? Have you looked at the "what can I apply for" page?

 

What can I apply for? | Grades | Membership and Networking | BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

 

 

 

As I stated earlier in this thread, the process for obtaining Chartered status (CITP) has now changed.

 

For those interested in the new style CITP download this document to find out about the BCS and CITP (on page 5) :

 

http://www.bcs.org//upload/pdf/transformation-update-sep09.pdf

 

I would also add that the easier way is to join as a Member and then upgrade a few months later (which may save on a fee increase as it will be deferred until the next renewal )

Edited September 28, 2009 by UKDarkstar

[somabc]

As I stated earlier in this thread, the process for obtaining Chartered status (CITP) has now changed.

 

For those interested in the new style CITP download this document to find out about the BCS and CITP (on page 5) :

 

http://www.bcs.org//upload/pdf/trans...date-sep09.pdf

 

I would also add that the easier way is to join as a Member and then upgrade a few months later (which may save on a fee increase as it will be deferred until the next renewal )

 

Thanks I had a look at the new website but could not see what had changed wrt CITP.

 

PS is that URL correct?

[UKDarkstar]

Thanks I had a look at the new website but could not see what had changed wrt CITP.

 

PS is that URL correct?

 

 

Sorry, it is now

[SpuffMonkey]

Until its a mandatory requirement to have a Chartered ICT person on board (like Accountants or Engineers) - I think this is doomed to irrelevance for the most part. And I sadly say that as a MBCS CITP, myself.