a. Professional Certification – the SCS Certified IT Project Manager Programme

The SCS has conferred 248 Certified IT Project Managers since the inauguration of the Certified IT Project Manager Programme (CITPM) in November 1998. The CITPM is advancing well in and beyond Singapore. It is now adopted as the certification model by the South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation (SEARCC) and recognised by the US Project Management Institute (PMI). The CITPM is now extending its reach beyond physical boundary through the introduction eCITPM in April this year. The eCITPM which is a preparatory course is now made available to IT professionals online anywhere in the world. eCITPM is developed by the Institute of Systems Science (ISS), the SCS appointed agent for CITPM examination. The SCS' endorsement of this learning approach is in tandem with Singapore government's vision of making Singapore an e-learning hub in the region.

b. National Infocomm Competency Centre

In 1999/2000, the National ICT Skills Certification & Recognition Steering Committee envisioned the establishment of the National Infocomm Competency Centre (NICC) in the face of pressing concern for recognition for ICT professionals in Singapore. The SCS took the lead in spearheading the Steering Committee and received ministerial endorsement after 3 round of dialogues to establish the National ICT Skills Certification and Recognition Framework in consultation with the ISS. The set up of NICC will be to promote the types of ICT knowledge and skills and to facilitate the development and implementation of certification and recognition measures to help meet the country's targets for quantity and quality of ICT-competent workforce. Expected to be launched in October 2001, the NICC will be an industry-driven national body with the SCS, Singapore IT Federation (SITF) and IT Management Association (ITMA) as founding members, and the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) as supporting parties.

c. Strategic Manpower Conversion Programme

The SCS has been appointed as the Facilitator by the IDA and the MOM to administer the Strategic Manpower Conversion Programme (SMCP) launched in mid 2000. The SMCP aims to convert non-Infocomm professionals and re-skill them as Infocomm professionals to meet the strong demand for infocomm power. As a Facilitator, the SCS will help facilitate the employment of non-Infocomm professionals before and during his Infocomm training. Trainees will be eligible for funding support from the Singapore government if he succeeds in finding an infocomm job within a stipulated period after the training.

d. IT Youth Award

The SCS introduced a new category, the IT Youth Award in 2000, into the IT Leader Awards with the aim of recognising outstanding youths for their creativity, critical thinking skills and capabilities in IT accomplishment, research or projects. The new award has generated good responses from schools, keen interest from the industry and notable coverage from the press. 2 winners and 7 finalists were selected to receive their trophies and plaques at the SCS Gala Dinner cum IT Leader Awards Presentation Ceremony held on 28 February 2001.

e. Monthly Activities at the SCS Resource Centre

The SCS has successfully drawn SCS members and IT professionals to congregate for social and business networking on a regular basis since the opening of its Resource Centre in Aug 2000. The monthly evening talks with topics spanning from technical issue to personal development have generated many responses from the members and helped them stay abreast of technological advancement and business practices.

PART-II INPUT TO IFIP

2. Issues for Consideration and Action by IFIP

Nil

IFIP2001/ifiprpt
31/7/2001