Becta Announcement Update ICT Technical Guidance still available through The FITS Foundation

In the short time since the announcement The FITS Foundation has received many phone calls and emails from worried school leaders asking whether this sudden announcement means that FITS will also disappear.

We are pleased to report that the main purpose for creating The FITS Foundation is an independent organisation and will operate as normal despite the imminent closure of Becta.

The FITS Foundation is working harder than ever  supporting  technical staff and management through this difficult time by taking technicians and technical support management throughout training courses and accreditations so that they are fully equipped to support  school leaders in driving down the costs and increasing efficiencies. The FITS Foundation provides technicians and Technical Management with an Internationally recognised Service Management and Delivery qualification that demonstrate their ability and their school’s commitment to high standards of technical support. The implementation of the FITS service management framework demonstrates a school’s commitment to providing a consistent approach to ICT support.

There are 23,000 school ICT technicians in the country, the largest professional group behind teachers and teaching assistants. The launch of the FITS (Framework for ICT Technical Support) qualification provides this important workforce with the opportunity to develop their careers and gain nationally recognised qualifications.  

ICT support staff can now undertake training from FITS to gain NVQs, which recognises ICT support skills in service management & service delivery. The qualifications available include the Level 4 NVQ certificate ICT Support In Education: Practitioner and the Level 5 NVQ certificate ICT Support in Education: Manager.

Implementing of FITS has shown to reduce costs as much as 10/20% on the ICT budget and up to 60% on electricity, it provides a higher return on ICT investment in addition to a better teaching and learning experience for staff and pupils.

Schools and local authorities can enrol staff on the FITS qualifications by contacting the FITS Foundation. The qualifications are delivered via classroom courses combined with practical exercises and an online assessment at the end of each course.  A total of 16 local authorities have already signed up to the scheme, signalling  that educators across the country realise the importance of developing the careers of ICT technicians for both their own benefit and for the continued development of ICT in schools. Courses are now available in Australia, Norway and the US.

About the FITS Foundation.
The Foundation is an independent, not for profit, organisation that promotes the professionalization of the ICT workforce within education in the UK. It is the Foundation’s ambition to enable schools to provide effective ICT services so that schools can create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their potential.

Contact us for more information about how we can help your school improve its technical support capability, realise a better return on investment in technology and have a positive influence on teaching and learning outcomes.

Call our office administrator on 01926 800121 or email support@thefitsfoundation.org to find out how we can help you. Although the future of Becta may be causing concern currently, at The FITS Foundation it is ‘business as usual’.

For further information about FITS or to enquire about courses, please visit
www.thefitsfoundation.org

For more information contact:
Trevor Greenfield   01926 800121 ext 222        trevor.greenfield@thefitsfoundation.org
Steve Butler       01926 800121 ext 223        steve.butler@thefitsfoundation.org


The FITS Foundation
3 Plato Close
Tachbrook Park
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CV34 6WE

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