Discuss acceptable/unacceptable ICT qualifications here

DesertCreat_15

Hi folks - Shield here:

Since this seems to be a new requirement in the recruitment campaign this time around, I thought it would be a good idea to create a thread where people can share what qualifications they have, and have either been told it does or does not meet the required standard. The next few posts will be moved from the "Assessment Centre" thread to here, and you can pick up the discussion from this thread onwards.

Cheers.

-Shield.
PS - Because DesertCreat_15 has an earlier post than my original post starting this thread, I have to hijack his post and use it to introduce the thread. Sorry DC!

Hows the prep going for everyone?

PapaYankeeGirl

I know there's loads on here reference the online ECDL course and it's validity at the AC. Has anyone got in past the qualification screening with the online certificate? Has anyone been turned away? I'm not going to count my chickens..... PM me if you don't want to disclose info publicly

Ta ta

.S.

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

I know there's loads on here reference the online ECDL course and it's validity at the AC. Has anyone got in past the qualification screening with the online certificate? Has anyone been turned away? I'm not going to count my chickens..... PM me if you don't want to disclose info publicly

Ta ta

I emailed Deloitte last week about this, no response as yet (my ac date is over a week away yet) but I very much doubt I'll be told I should attend. Will let you know when I hear back, I've spoke to several people though and am 99% sure I'll be told not to attend. Next recruitment campaign I will be more than ready.

PapaYankeeGirl

.S. wrote: »

I emailed Deloitte last week about this, no response as yet (my ac date is over a week away yet) but I very much doubt I'll be told I should attend. Will let you know when I hear back, I've spoke to several people though and am 99% sure I'll be told not to attend. Next recruitment campaign I will be more than ready.

Thanks. How can they say £200 course and a cert isn't acceptable??? They have certainly changed the criteria from the initial ad! Anyone refused should raise the matter with 'someone' lol. Keep us all posted

.S.

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

Thanks. How can they say £200 course and a cert isn't acceptable??? They have certainly changed the criteria from the initial ad! Anyone refused should raise the matter with 'someone' lol. Keep us all posted

I don't know which website you used (mine was ecdluk.co.uk, an open it cert) but sounds like most of the online certs are basically fraudulent (mine def is...) unless u sat the ECDL test in a accredited centre the cert is basically worth nothing, isn't a qualification so they can't accept it. It's what I get for trying to get qualification ASAP so I wouldn't have to worry about it, I seen test centres but had a few days off work and wanted it over and done with. You learn!

Silver lining for me is I've had persistent sciatica the last 6weeks or so, from trying to increase fitness/weights training, would worry about that if I managed to reach medical, they might not like it. Least now I can strengthen my back in plenty of time for next recruitment. If you end up getting turned back, don't give up. Nothing worth having comes easy 😊

PapaYankeeGirl

.s.
I 'sat' the course/ assessment online with Robust IT


Hope your back improves

.S.

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

.s.
I 'sat' the course/ assessment online with Robust IT


Hope your back improves

Haven't heard of them, maybe someone else has. Backs a fair bit better now thanks but would rather be able to say had back pain x months ago rather than a few weeks ago. Will give u a shout when I hear back anyways, night

19087

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

.s.
I 'sat' the course/ assessment online with Robust IT


Hope your back improves

I was of the understanding that it is not possible to sit any acceptable assessment online?

Mr.Peanut

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

Thanks. How can they say £200 course and a cert isn't acceptable??? They have certainly changed the criteria from the initial ad! Anyone refused should raise the matter with 'someone' lol. Keep us all posted

I don't think they changed criteria, the problem is that to gain a real EDCL qualifaction you must sit with an exam at a test centre with an indivulator watching you do the test. That is the only way you can get the certificate unfortunately and no matter how much someone charges you to do it.
You can't polish a turd and so on...

Shield

Mr.Peanut wrote: »

...to gain a real EDCL qualifaction you must sit with an exam at a test centre with an indivulator watching you do the test. That is the only way you can get the certificate unfortunately and no matter how much someone charges you to do it.

I do believe this to be the case. You have to do your exam in a recognised testing centre, for example The Exam Centre (first hit from a Google search) who (among many) are trusted by (from their site) the ECDL Foundation/Microsoft/Cisco/Oracle and so on, with providing chairs, tables, computers, invigilators, a secure environment to prevent people from taking photographs of the questions, and so on. After you sit the test, you are given a Pass/Fail piece of paper which is crimped, stamped and signed by the invigilator.

From what I've been told by those in the know (thank you fellow Moderators), if you pay to do an online course, and then proceed to do a test online, this is just an indication that you are ready to sit the official test, which you must coordinate yourself using the services of a testing centre like the one referred to above. The distance learning people will give you pointers, but you are responsible for your own official certification.

biker701

As already mentioned RobustIT and ECDLUK certificates will get you turned at AC as they are not official certificates. Most if not all of those who are turned over IT quals have a certificate from either of those companies. If you haven't sat for your IT qualification in a proper examination setting/centre your out of luck I'm afraid. I was also stung over this, but thankfully I paid a lot less than others for these courses and managed to sit a proper test in time.

Bob Law

biker701 wrote: »

As already mentioned RobustIT and ECDLUK certificates will get you turned at AC as they are not official certificates. Most if not all of those who are turned over IT quals have a certificate from either of those companies. If you haven't sat for your IT qualification in a proper examination setting/centre your out of luck I'm afraid. I was also stung over this, but thankfully I paid a lot less than others for these courses and managed to sit a proper test in time.

I'm in the same boat. I got the course cheap and sat the test elsewhere. On the whole, it saved me money as I didn't need to pay for an ECDL training course elsewhere, so the totals cost of training and test was much less than other places charging for their test alone.

.S.

Bob Law wrote: »

I'm in the same boat. I got the course cheap and sat the test elsewhere. On the whole, it saved me money as I didn't need to pay for an ECDL training course elsewhere, so the totals cost of training and test was much less than other places charging for their test alone.

I unfortunately was niave, ecdluk website said qualification as required by companies such as nhs, PSNI etc. I rang and questioned a guy and he was adamant online test was equilivilent. Obviously just looking a sale. But you learn, next recruitment drive is my time!

FAO mods; know I asked a lot of q's on AC thread about this, sorry if I blocked it up and thanks for setting this thread up 😊

RWA61994

I have ICT A Level and a GCSE called Business and Communication Systems (Which is basically ICT with a different name) Just wondering would it hinder me because i dont have actual ICT at GCSE level or does A Level superseed this?

.S.

RWA61994 wrote: »

I have ICT A Level and a GCSE called Business and Communication Systems (Which is basically ICT with a different name) Just wondering would it hinder me because i dont have actual ICT at GCSE level or does A Level superseed this?

A level should supersede it, it's an acceptable qualification

.S.

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

I know there's loads on here reference the online ECDL course and it's validity at the AC. Has anyone got in past the qualification screening with the online certificate? Has anyone been turned away? I'm not going to count my chickens..... PM me if you don't want to disclose info publicly

Ta ta

Got my reply from Deloitte today. My Cert isn't acceptable, was as I suspected. Next recruitment drive I'll be ready!

PapaYankeeGirl

Real pity. S., thanks for keeping us posted

Tim89

Everybody who paid for an ECDL course at <mod snip> should actively pursue a refund, any questions regarding this, pm me

quickcatch

I know this has been discussed extensively but I'm a little confused by my certificate matching the requirements. I have an ECDL from the BCS(Chartered Institute for IT) and have sat the 8 modules so it says level 1 beside 4 of them and level 2 beside the other 4. Above my name it has the ECDL foundation and logo. I sat this at a test center so I wasn't overly worried but when reading the requirements I notice they specify ECDL Essential level 1. There is no mention of the word essential on my certificate, can anyone shed any light on this? Is the essentials level 1 just the 4 modules with level 1 beside them?

Cheers, I realise this has been discussed extensively and is boring!

pastiesupper

quickcatch wrote: »

I know this has been discussed extensively but I'm a little confused by my certificate matching the requirements. I have an ECDL from the BCS(Chartered Institute for IT) and have sat the 8 modules so it says level 1 beside 4 of them and level 2 beside the other 4. Above my name it has the ECDL foundation and logo. I sat this at a test center so I wasn't overly worried but when reading the requirements I notice they specify ECDL Essential level 1. There is no mention of the word essential on my certificate, can anyone shed any light on this? Is the essentials level 1 just the 4 modules with level 1 beside them?

Cheers, I realise this has been discussed extensively and is boring!

Your cert is fine. ECDL Level 1 is the same as ECDL Essentials. You have actually exceeded the requirements by having Level 2

I had the same cert as you and it was accepted.

ptsb1

quickcatch wrote: »

I know this has been discussed extensively but I'm a little confused by my certificate matching the requirements. I have an ECDL from the BCS(Chartered Institute for IT) and have sat the 8 modules so it says level 1 beside 4 of them and level 2 beside the other 4. Above my name it has the ECDL foundation and logo. I sat this at a test center so I wasn't overly worried but when reading the requirements I notice they specify ECDL Essential level 1. There is no mention of the word essential on my certificate, can anyone shed any light on this? Is the essentials level 1 just the 4 modules with level 1 beside them?

Cheers, I realise this has been discussed extensively and is boring!

You are OK as you have more than just the ECDL essential Level 1 (which is all that I have). Essential Level 1 is just the 4 modules.

quickcatch

Nice one thanks folks

19087

If it helps anyone who is waiting to do their AC, I actually printed out my reply from deloitte stating that my cert was acceptable - just in case there were any issues on the day

quickcatch

What was the issue with your cert 19087?

19087

quickcatch wrote: »

What was the issue with your cert 19087?

It wasn't on their list of acceptable quals, but it was equivalent (actually exceeded requirement) and was basically just a name change.

Homer01

My GCSE in 'Computer Studies' was accepted with no issues.

Sapphire101

Hey guys, i know this hasnt been used in a few weeks but just an update for anyone who isnt aware - Becasue i had let deloitte know that my online cert wasnt valid and i wouldnt be attending my AC, i have been given 3 weeks to sit the ECDL exam and a fresh AC date. its a goodwill gesture for those who were in the same boat as me as we all had faith that the online was what we needed. if anyone on here is in the same situation as me and contacted deloitte about it, CHECK YOUR EMAIL, you may have been given a second chance at this!
Im booked in for my ECDL exam tomorrow so fingers crossed all goes well and i have my Cert in time!
Also, shop around for prices, ive managed to get one for under £100 but have been quoted as much as £250!
Good luck to everyone!

PapaYankeeGirl

Yep, I was meant to have my AC today but received the goodwill gesture. Struggling to find a 'test only' venue that doesn't cost £300+

biker701

Is everyone who got turned at AC over the IT quals getting offered a second chance or is it only a few?

.S.

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

Yep, I was meant to have my AC today but received the goodwill gesture. Struggling to find a 'test only' venue that doesn't cost £300+

I haven't received any emails so emailed them, fingers crossed! Someone said Bryson house to me, I'll have to look into it, needless to say, any recommendation would be appreciated lol

wanadrum

Sapphire101 wrote: »

Hey guys, i know this hasnt been used in a few weeks but just an update for anyone who isnt aware - Becasue i had let deloitte know that my online cert wasnt valid and i wouldnt be attending my AC, i have been given 3 weeks to sit the ECDL exam and a fresh AC date. its a goodwill gesture for those who were in the same boat as me as we all had faith that the online was what we needed. if anyone on here is in the same situation as me and contacted deloitte about it, CHECK YOUR EMAIL, you may have been given a second chance at this!
Im booked in for my ECDL exam tomorrow so fingers crossed all goes well and i have my Cert in time!
Also, shop around for prices, ive managed to get one for under £100 but have been quoted as much as £250!
Good luck to everyone!

This is very good for you guys, but I think it is a bit unfair to change the goalposts.

What about people who decided not to apply or not to attend as they didn't have certain certain on time - how does the goodwill gesture apply equally to them?

Homer01

wanadrum wrote: »

This is very good for you guys, but I think it is a bit unfair to change the goalposts.

What about people who decided not to apply or not to attend as they didn't have certain certain on time - how does the goodwill gesture apply equally to them?

I agree.

Why the change?

Dekkers

Homer01 wrote: »

I agree.

Why the change?

Seconded. At the risk of sounding extremely bitter I kind of wish they would email those who were properly prepared for the AC with their results instead of sending out emails with second chances to those who weren't.

I guess the candidate pool isn't as deep as they would like. Hopefully they've only offered this second chance to those who emailed them explaining the misunderstanding because otherwise it's who knows how many hundred back in the race

Homer01

So if I fail my AC perhaps I can ask for a goodwill gesture and get another go. Perhaps they will raise the minimum age limit or lower GCSE results :mad:

I don't wish to be an a$$hole but they had requirements to be met and I met them (as did many others).

Now because Deloitte presumably have 'culled' too many or not got a big enough pool the rules change?!?!

Sapphire, this is not directed at you in any way. Just very 'peeved' at the system.
I do wish you the best of luck

Dekkers

Homer01 wrote: »

So if I fail my AC perhaps I can ask for a goodwill gesture and get another go. Perhaps they will raise the minimum age limit or lower GCSE results :mad:

I don't wish to be an a$$hole but they had requirements to be met and I met them (as did many others).

Now because Deloitte presumably have 'culled' too many or not got a big enough pool the rules change?!?!

Sapphire, this is not directed at you in any way. Just very 'peeved' at the system.
I do wish you the best of luck

That's what I would assume has happened. I've no idea, obviously. At least this probably means they need more than 100!

Homer01

I caught part of the news on the radio. They said something about 378 this year and 378 next year.

Can't find anymore about it though.

student15

Homer01 wrote: »

So if I fail my AC perhaps I can ask for a goodwill gesture and get another go. Perhaps they will raise the minimum age limit or lower GCSE results :mad:

I don't wish to be an a$$hole but they had requirements to be met and I met them (as did many others).

Now because Deloitte presumably have 'culled' too many or not got a big enough pool the rules change?!?!

Sapphire, this is not directed at you in any way. Just very 'peeved' at the system.
I do wish you the best of luck

Increase age limit?
That'd be very unfair and push me out of the running.

19087

I would have to say I also disagree with this 'moving of the goal posts'. Was it not made clear early on that it needed to be a qualification achieved through examination?

The whole thing screams 'we don't have enough people passing the various hurdles'!

ctaylorf

So Deloitte clearly haven't got enough people reaching the required standard so far. This makes me more worried that I haven't passed.

Obviously it's great news for those people who didn't have the correct qualifications at the time and are now being given a second chance, but I do feel it's slightly unfair on those of us who did everything they could to sit the exam in time. They made such a massive deal at the time about having a certificate dated on or before 2nd December or whatever it was ...

19087

ctaylorf wrote: »

So Deloitte clearly haven't got enough people reaching the required standard so far. This makes me more worried that I haven't passed.

Snap, it does suggest a lot of people haven't made the grade which is giving me a knot in my stomach while I wait for my result!!

Homer01

On a positive note they have so many awesome candidates (i.e. us) that they need more to fulfil these new places

Sapphire101

Homer01 wrote: »

I agree.

Why the change?

I totally understand where you're all coming from, I read the email and was more than a bit shocked to say the least. The email said we had time to sort it because "we payed money in good faith that we had done all we needed to pass the criteria" for me, it's a second chance as I did, along with many others believe that the exam done online would suffice.

However, at the AC stage we were instructed to email and let them know if we wouldn't be attending for this reason, those that did as they were asked got the chance to sort it, those who just didn't turn up and didn't let Deloitte know, didn't.

I think those who genuinely believed they had the right thing and chased it down to the last option to be able to sit their AC date do deserve he extra few weeks. I was guaranteed by the website that it was the full ecdl qualification and you sit the exam online which was accepted by the PSNI.
So as far as I was concerned I had done all I needed to do, I just hope all the money I've spent will be worthwhile.

I'm not saying anyone's opinions are wrong, I'm just trying to explain where we're coming from!

TDA2

Hey folks. I got a random email from Deloitte reminding me to be prepared for ac. Part of it says

All candidates must be able to provide evidence of attaining a relevant IT qualification through examination on or prior to 2nd December 2013. Please note that candidates who have completed an ECDL training course (including online courses) must be able to provide evidence of having sat and passed a BCS or ICS accredited examination, at an accredited test centre, in order to have achieved the full ECDL qualification required by PSNI.  In recent weeks a number of candidates have presented at assessment centres with a Certificate of Completion of an ECDL course from two specific on-line providers and were therefore deemed not to meet the eligibility criteria. PSNI has now considered this issue and given that the candidates concerned acted in good faith and believed that they had done all that was required to meet the IT eligibility criteria, they have determined that they will allow a further time period for these candidates only to obtain the necessary BCS accreditation. 
 
As a consequence, if you fall into this category, you should attend your appointment as originally scheduled bringing with you your online certificate (dated on or prior 2nd December 2013). You will be advised at the assessment centre by the Deloitte administration team that you will be allowed to sit the assessment centre.  However, as your IT qualification does not completely meet PSNI’s requirements, should you wish to remain in the recruitment process, you will be required to sit and pass an accredited BCS examination and obtain the full ECDL accreditation.  You will be allowed a period of three weeks from the date of this communication to obtain this accreditation and forward the certificate to our recruitment office, otherwise your application will be terminated at this stage.

Rizzley

TDA2 wrote: »

Hey folks. I got a random email from Deloitte reminding me to be prepared for ac. Part of it says

All candidates must be able to provide evidence of attaining a relevant IT qualification through examination on or prior to 2nd December 2013. Please note that candidates who have completed an ECDL training course (including online courses) must be able to provide evidence of having sat and passed a BCS or ICS accredited examination, at an accredited test centre, in order to have achieved the full ECDL qualification required by PSNI.  In recent weeks a number of candidates have presented at assessment centres with a Certificate of Completion of an ECDL course from two specific on-line providers and were therefore deemed not to meet the eligibility criteria. PSNI has now considered this issue and given that the candidates concerned acted in good faith and believed that they had done all that was required to meet the IT eligibility criteria, they have determined that they will allow a further time period for these candidates only to obtain the necessary BCS accreditation. 
 
As a consequence, if you fall into this category, you should attend your appointment as originally scheduled bringing with you your online certificate (dated on or prior 2nd December 2013). You will be advised at the assessment centre by the Deloitte administration team that you will be allowed to sit the assessment centre.  However, as your IT qualification does not completely meet PSNI’s requirements, should you wish to remain in the recruitment process, you will be required to sit and pass an accredited BCS examination and obtain the full ECDL accreditation.  You will be allowed a period of three weeks from the date of this communication to obtain this accreditation and forward the certificate to our recruitment office, otherwise your application will be terminated at this stage.

Mine didnt say that in early January. I feel for the people who didn't show up because they thought there was no point. I wonder if all people invited to Ac will be informed of the changes...

wanadrum

I still think this is unfair, this is nothing personal, but it was quite clear from the start that you had to have a proper ECDL certificate gained by sitting an accredited exam in a BCS or ICS. I would be very disappointed if someone who failed to meet the standard as required managed to displace me from an appointable position on the merit list.

Sapphire101

Rizzley wrote: »

Mine didnt say that in early January. I feel for the people who didn't show up because they thought there was no point. I wonder if all people invited to Ac will be informed of the changes...

I think it's all the people with online Certs who informed Deloitte about it.. if you didn't have any at all I don't think it applies. I hope everyone that needs to has been told about this, would be a shame if some slipped through the net for not letting them know! I wouldn't normally have done but I had a funny feeling this might happen if there weren't enough candidates.

Rizzley

Sapphire101 wrote: »

I think it's all the people with online Certs who informed Deloitte about it.. if you didn't have any at all I don't think it applies. I hope everyone that needs to has been told about this, would be a shame if some slipped through the net for not letting them know! I wouldn't normally have done but I had a funny feeling this might happen if there weren't enough candidates.

Good luck to you sapphire

wanadrum

Rizzley wrote: »

Mine didnt say that in early January. I feel for the people who didn't show up because they thought there was no point. I wonder if all people invited to Ac will be informed of the changes...

I sat my AC in early December and didn't get any email at all.

TDA2

I got that email within the past few days... But thankfully it does not apply. It is unfair for people with unrecognised qualifications to a higher level. I've a few higher ones but had to do clait it at about 13 or 14 - and I always thought it was a waste of time! Happy to be proved wrong again.

Sapphire101

wanadrum wrote: »

I still think this is unfair, this is nothing personal, but it was quite clear from the start that you had to have a proper ECDL certificate gained by sitting an accredited exam in a BCS or ICS. I would be very disappointed if someone who failed to meet the standard as required managed to displace me from an appointable position on the merit list.

I understand where you're coming from, however I do now have the qualification so I'm no less qualified than anyone else in the running. the number of people who made the same mistake as me clearly shows that it wasn't all that clear in the beginning, It didn't occur to me till the second email when I read it.

.S.

Sapphire101 wrote: »

I understand where you're coming from, however I do now have the qualification so I'm no less qualified than anyone else in the running. the number of people who made the same mistake as me clearly shows that it wasn't all that clear in the beginning, It didn't occur to me till the second email when I read it.

Sapphire, were you originally given a date in Feb for your AC? I emailed back in Jan, I explained the situation and was advised to withdraw, my AC was scheduled for the end of Jan. I haven't got an email, I did email Deloitte on Thurs to enquire about this though. I'm wondering if everyone who advised them of the ECDL issue will receive the goodwill gesture, or just people who had yet to sit their AC? Feeling impatient waiting for their reply!