IT education and training has nowadays an extensive, diversified and complex scenario. Certifications, qualifications, non-formal learning and informal learning are mutually supportive components of a professional’s career development, but in this context there is a chaotic use of designations, descriptions and terms (“certification”, “accreditation”, “diploma”, specialist, expert, master, etc.). With a special issue about the use and abuse of the term “certification”.

There are also very different “types” of IT education and training depending of the “teaching agent”: universities, academies, suppliers, professional organisations, trade unions, employer association, accreditation and assessment bodies, etc.

Therefore, there is a need to have a tool that contributes to a better comprehension, utilization, and leveraging of the different types of ICT certifications, not only for individuals, but also for various actors and society in general.

The ICT Certification Map is an implementation action of the European ICT Framework. The general goal is to improve the knowledge, comprehension, utilization, and value of ICT Certifications for individuals (specialization, career development, etc.) and also for organizations (ICT companies, companies using ICT, professional associations, certification offices, recruitment companies, public administrations, etc.).

The specific goal is to implement a “visualization” tool (a map) of ICT certifications based on the construction of a ICT certifications database. An Open Data approach will be used, so that the evolution and use will be public and open for all interested parties. The map is built based on contributions from professionals in the sector and companies, certification offices, and other stakeholders concerned with ICT certifications. The map will especially include the most widespread, valued, and relevant certifications, both for professionals, and for the sector.

The map will be built incrementally: the first version of the ICT Certification Map will be developed as a pilot project in Spain, including professional certifications mainly. Other certifications, such as user certifications, will be our goal for future versions.

The map and the certifications database will initially include a profile for each certification, and will be published following open data standards. Other parties will be then able to build tools to query or visualize the information contained in the map.

Professional: We invite you to contribute with information about the ICT Certifications you hold, or consider more relevant.

Companies, Certification Offices: We invite you to add the ICT Certifications deemed more widespread, valued, or representative for professionals and sectorally as well.

We have developed a form to collect the data: Open the form to add data about professional certifications.

Besides, if you want to be up to date with the current state of the ICT Professionalism Framework, or take part in future implementation actions, attend the participative workshop organized by CCII, which will be held on Madrid, December, 13th, 2016.