1. IT Technicians and SFIA in the RAF
T h i i d i th
Nicki Risi
The IET NRi i@th i t
NRisi@theiet.org
Hillary A Taylor
ay ay o
Zumiya Consulting hillary.taylor@zumiya.co.uk
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007
071114001

2. A Common Language in SFIA
• The Story: RAF journey to update a technician
trade,
trade using SFIA
• Introduction
• The Players
• The Setting
• The Project
• Outco e Summary
Outcome Su ay
• Close
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

3. Introduction
SFIA 3
RAF
SFIA 2
Engineering
Technician
Operational
Technology New ICT
N
Skills Technician
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

4. RAF – Trade Group 4
• Communications and Information Management
Systems Manpower Strategy Team (CISMST)
– Responsible for ICT skills landscape throughout RAF
• Current Career Progression:
Op/Maint CIS IM
CIS Tech Cp
Cpl Sgt CIS
Selection Managers
CIS Tech CIS Tech
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

5. RAF – Trade Group 4
• Transition To New Trades Using SFIA Profiles
Obsolete Trades SFIA TG4 Trades
Trade
Electronics Profiles CIS Manager
Technician
T h i i
CIS Information Manager
CIS Technician
Communications
C i ti
Operator
CIS Operator/Maintainer
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

6. The IET
• Institution of Engineering and Technology
• Formed from IEE and IIE
• Largest professional technology society (Europe)
• Membership: 150,000, significant proportion in IS/IT
• Founder Member of SFIA
– Mike Bridgefoot – SFIA Board Director
• Professional Qualifications: CEng, IEng, EngTech
• Professional Networks, Ca ee Manager,
o ess o a et o s, Career a age ,
Mentoring, Professional Registration, & more.
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

7. Capability Management
• Capability Management - Developing the
capabilities that feed business success - Developing
organisational and employee competencies to align
employees and … (from PA Consulting site).
p y ( g )
• Capability Management translates the
requirements of Defence policy into an approved
programme that delivers the required capabilities,
through-life, ... (aof.mod.uk strategy guide)
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

8. Skills L d
Skill Landscape Drivers -
Di
Broad Electronics to ICT
Stakeholders Network Control
for Attack/Defence
Component
Level Networked
Readiness
Legacy Training
Communications
Equipment Fast-moving W b
F t i Web
Repair
Maintenance
M i t Troubleshooting
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

9. Skills L d
Skill Landscape Drivers -
Di
Q
Qualification Assessment
Understood
Stakeholders
Outside RAF
ICT Tech
IET
(Assessment Networked
Method)
M th d)
UKSPEC Communications
Legacy E Tech
L Eng T h Detailed SFIA
Equipment Structure as Tool
Non-prescriptive
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

10. Eng Tech to ICT Tech Process
• Map 3 broad ICT streams to SFIA
• Evaluate job descriptions against SFIA
• Assess RAF job roles against SFIA
• New Trade Group 4 defined
• EngTech,
EngTech with RAF SFIA mapping
• RAF ICT Technician standard developed
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

11. 3 Broad RAF ICT Streams
1. Follow Graduate/ Apprenticeship
2. Assist Entry Level
3: Apply Professional ICT Tech
4. Enable Leadership IEng
5. Ensure, Advise Senior Leadership CEng
6. Initiate, Influence Executive Leadership
7.
7 Set Strategy, Envision Directorship/Ownership
Strategy
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

12. CIS Technician SFIA Mapping
CIS Technician Only L2 L3 L4
Systems Installation/decommissioning X X
Radio Frequency Engineering X
CIST
CIS T h i i & I f
Technician Information M
ti Manager
Continuity Management X
Programming/Software Development X X
Configuration Management X X
IM
Change Management X X
Management and Operations X
Compliance Audit X
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

13. ICT Technician Standard
A Use ICT Knowledge and Understanding to apply
technical and practical skills.
B Contribute to the design, development, testing,
commissioning, installation, operation or
g p
maintenance of ICT systems, products, processes,
systems or services.
C Accept and exercise personal responsibility.
D Use effective communication and interpersonal skills.
skills
E Make a personal commitment to an appropriate code
of professional conduct, recognising obligations t
f f i l d t i i bli ti to
society, the profession and the environment.
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007

14. Why use SFIA?
• Common Language
• Need to respond to rapidly changing
technical environment
• Need to satisfy/communicate with broad
range of stakeholders – inside & outside RAF
• Transferable qualifications, roles, training,
standards
d d
© Copyright Hillary Taylor 2007