Margaret Granger

1. SFIA and Mahara
Tools to Support
CPD for
the IT Industry
Margaret Granger/Asheley Jones ACSEducation | September 2012

2. Australian Computer Society - ACS
www.acs.org.au
Professional Organisation of ICT Professionals
Provides a certification program
CT – Certified Technician
CP – Certified Practitioner
Certification provides official recognition of your
competencies to potential employers

3. ACSEducation
The Education arm of ACS
Computer Professional Education Program - CPeP
Professional Year Program- PY
Diploma in IT Program – DIT
Delivered online using Moodle as the delivery platform

4. Skills Framework for the Information Age
www.sfia.org.uk
The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) provides a
common reference model for the identification of the skills
needed to develop effective Information Systems (IS) making
use of Information Communications Technologies (ICT).

5. Skills Levels

6. SFIA Skills Matrix – Generic Skills
Skill Dimension
Autonomy Supervision
Problem / Discretion
Accountability
Influence Internal / External
Leadership
Industry
Complexity Activity
Environment
Context
Business Skills Technical
Professionalism
Communication

7. SFIA Skills Matrix – Technical Skills
Strategy and Architecture
Business Change
Solution Development &
Implementation
Service Management
Procurement &
management Support
Client Interface

8. Describing Skills using SFIA - Autonomy
Level 3
Works under general supervision.
Uses discretion in identifying and resolving complex problems and assignments.
Usually receives specific instructions and has work reviewed at frequent milestones.
Determines when issues should be escalated to a higher level.
Level 4
Works under general direction within a clear framework of accountability.
Exercises substantial personal responsibility and autonomy.
Plans own work to meet given objectives and processes.
Level 5
Works under broad direction.
Is fully accountable for own technical work and/or project/supervisory responsibilities.
Receives assignments in the form of objectives.
Establishes own milestones and team objectives, and delegates responsibilities.
Work is often self-initiated.

9. SFIA and ACSEducation
Course outcomes mapped to SFIA
Professional Practice module part of courses
Students map skills to SFIA
Students develop e-portfolio using Mahara
Students in PY develop resume and job application within
Mahara as part of course work
Exit CPEP with CP certification
Exit DIT with CT certification

10. E-portfolios
Developed using Mahara as integral part of Professional
Practice module of CPEP and DIT
As component of PY Program
Skills are recorded in the Skills Artefacts of Mahara
Generic skills within Work Skills artefact
Technical skills within Academic Skills artefact
NOTE: we do need to look at changing labels within Mahara here
Can also be presented by using a text box

11. The Professional Year PY Program
This program is for former international students who
have graduated from a university within Australia and
are seeking permanent residency.
Includes a 12 week online program conducted by ACS
Education to include
Mapping of current skills to SFIA
Development of an e-portfolio in Mahara
Writing and peer review of Job Application
Development of Career Plan

12. Sample e-Portfolio

13. Using SFIA Descriptors

14. Career Development
SFIA as a tool for planning career development
Students can:
Map current skills to SFIA
Identify skills gaps from SFIA matrix
Plan career development
Use Mahara to record this career development

15. Career Development

16. Student Feedback – PY Students
“Being able to assess
skills and plan for future
skill development using
SFIA has been most
valuable”
“E-portfolio is good
way to present our
knowledge and skills.
In my opinion Mahara
“I like having a is very important tool
place to plan and for anybody to
monitor my present their
career portfolio”
development”

17. Advantages of the e-Portfolio
Availability
ACS members have ongoing access to Mahara
Career Development Planning
Can use this artefact to provide a career plan and follow progress
Can use tool to develop customised Job Application for
sharing or presenting to prospective employers

18. Future Developments - My SFIA

19. Future Developments - ACS Portfolio
Customisation of ACS Portfolio (Mahara)
Relabelling of Skills Artefacts to reflect SFIA skills types
Addition of customised drop-down boxes with SFIA skills
Offering of PD Workshops to encourage ACS members
to use these tools
Face to face workshops in each State and Territory
Use of webinars to provide wider footprint

20. Contacts and Further Information
Asheley Jones Margaret Granger
MACS CP MACS CP
asheley.jones@acseducation.edu.au margaret.granger@acseducation.edu.au