NZCS to “Declare War” on Digital Literacy

NZCS to “Declare War” on Digital Literacy

The New Zealand Computer Society (NZCS) today announced a number of strategic and structural changes in a declaration of war on digital literacy, and to significantly improve the base ICT skills of New Zealanders.

The changes include the creation of a fully staffed “Digital Literacy Division” within NZCS, focused solely on tackling digital literacy and the improvement of base ICT skills in New Zealand.

NZCS Chief Executive Paul Matthews said during the announcement that “NZCS has further committed to the delivery of ICDL, the International Computer Drivers License, throughout New Zealand, and to work very closely with and help coordinate organisations across the country to significantly up-skill our nation’s base computing skills”.

Whilst NZCS had delivered ICDL through a subsidiary over the past few years, this change and further major commitment indicates a fundamental change in approach, with the Society utilising its reach, structure and strength to make a significant impact and delivery tangible and major results in this area.

“This change is partly in response to a change in the global financial situation, where improvement in these skills via ICDL has been clearly shown to deliver significant improvement in the productivity, costs, and employability of those who undertake the programme, especially the most vulnerable who may potentially be facing job loss”, Matthews said.

ICDL is in use in over 150 countries around the world and has been utilised to improve and certify the base ICT skills of around 8 million people worldwide. It is globally recognised as the gold standard in end-user ICT skills training and certification.

“Improving the base-level ICT skills and digital literacy of employees and the general public has been well proven to significantly raise the productivity and economic growth of countries which prioritise on these skills”, Matthews said.

“NZCS will be working with other ICT-focused groups, community groups, training organisations, the Government, and our large nationwide network of Test Centres to help re-focus New Zealand on this critical area”, Matthews concluded.

Rebecca Boyce, formally General Manager of NZCS subsidiary Computing NZ Ltd, has been appointed to head the division.

ENDS

About the NZ Computer Society

NZCS is the professional body of ICT Professionals, and as a non-profit charitable organisation works with industry, academia, Government and the wider community to achieve its mission of increasing the standards and professionalism of both the NZ ICT industry, and the base-level ICT skills and competence of New Zealanders.

The Society is made up of a large number of ICT professionals as well as partnerships with New Zealand’s leading organisations – both ICT companies and other organisations who are serious about the development of their staff. NZCS has utilised a network of around 100 test centres to delivery ICDL in New Zealand.

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