Benchmarking IT staff

Certification scheme provides much needed help for HR managers in benchmarking IT Staff.

Let’s face it, HR needs all the help it can get when it comes to benchmarking any staff in terms of ability and qualifications. Such metrics can help allocate appropriate tasks to existing staff, in particular to those who may be transferred to new departments and/or promoted to roles with different job natures. Moreover, a quantitative system of grading staff abilities and qualifications is also critical when recruiting new hires, in order to compare between candidates and the selection of the candidate with the most appropriate skill set.

Benchmarking anyone’s ability and skill sets is a relatively complex task, and trying to do so with staff in the IT sector can be a serious headache for experts in the sector, let alone HR Managers. Fortunately, help is on hand. The Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) and the Hong Kong Institute for Information Technology Professional Certification (HKITPC) recently announced the latest progression to their existing Certified Professional of Information Technology (CPIT) Scheme, bringing much needed help to HR managers wishing to benchmark the skill sets of staff working in IT roles.

Background
The Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) is a well-established non-profit organisation founded in 1970. The vision that lead to its establishment was to provide vital new insights and advice into the ways in which information technology is shaping and changing our lives. The society continues to provide this vision to the Hong Kong business sector and general public through its dedication to promote the highest professional standards for the industry. With support from the IT community and a number of influential endorsing corporations, the decision to join forces with the Hong Kong Institute for IT Professional Certification (HKITPC) last year has further re-enforced this standpoint. Assisting with an initial investment of HK$1 million, the HKCS provided the sustainable capital to logistically put the development wheels into motion and enable the launch of new offerings.

Mr Sunny Lee, President of HKCS and Executive Director of IT at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, one of the scheme’s endorsing companies, confirmed that for the development of the three new professional titles, the HKCS will work closely with the HKITPC to ensure their relevance and quality.
Stressing the importance of future input from the private sector, he went on to add, “While the HKCS provides a significant level of seed funding for the HKITPC, we look forward to further sponsorship from, and partnership with, other learned organisations involved in IT and business corporations in support of HKITPC which benefit the entire IT and user community as a whole.”

The Hong Kong Institute for IT Professional Certification (HKITPC), founded in 2007 is the first independent, non-profit institute pioneering the IT certification scheme in Hong Kong. Its aim is to aid in the development of the IT industry in Hong Kong through a series of quality IT certificates that are recognised by both local and international communities of the IT industry. The schemes cover a variety of disciplines, which are all designed to expand the career development prospects for IT professionals and to help corporations ensure the success of critical IT projects, optimise costs and enhance productivity.

Benefits to HR
Mr Stephen Lau, Chairperson of the HKIPC Board of Governance feels this step is critical to help enhance the competitiveness of the Hong Kong IT Professionals and as such the scheme also paves the way to benchmark candidates in Hong Kong, Mainland China and internationally.
When asked why staff would be better certified under the CPIT scheme rather that using other International Certificates, Dr C K Wong, HKCS Chairperson explained, “Every location should have their own branding to typify their strengths.”

Wong went on to emphasise that qualifications such as this should target the legal and cultural uniqueness in the local environment, and this was exactly what the CPIT had achieved within Hong Kong. Another obvious advantage of the scheme for both candidates themselves and employers is that continuous learning, especially in the IT industry is paramount, because without consistent development these skills become obsolete. The Certified Professional of Information Technology certificates CPIT provides a road map for development for future needs.
When asked how the scheme would benefit HR managers in terms of staff T&D, Mr Sunny Lee, President of HKCS explained, “What we’re doing here is doing their [HR Manager’s] job for them and providing a road-map for future development…as a business motivator there is a need for professional certification, with good foresight we understand the benefits of devoting time to life long learning, and as such should focus energy on supporting and encouraging personal and career development.”

The way forward
The CPIT now exists as a career development certificate, and with the development of new certifications and re-certification programmes the foundation of the accredited training programmes will progress even further into the IT business community. The existing CPIT can be sustained through community-wide support and representation. Reaching out to employers and HR Managers in particular. Lau concluded, “We strongly emphasise industry involvement in this; IT professional development is essential and must be sustained.”