News / News In Brief

e-skills NTO extends scope to telecom sectors
Malcolm Wicks, Minister for Lifelong Learning, has asked the e-skills NTO to extend its scope to cover the telecommunications and call handling sectors, that together employ over 180,000 people in the UK. This was the outcome of a consultation on NTO arrangements for the telecommunications industry. Those who responded to the consultation expressed a clear preference for e-skills NTO to be given responsibility for the sector. Detailed transitional arrangements will now be made to ensure that employers from these sectors are fully represented. For more information see the DfEE press release .

Launch Event: SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age)
A New Blueprint for ICT Skills - Supported by CSSA and DTI
Tuesday 12 June 9:30-14:00
DTI Conference Centre 1 Victoria Street London

SFIA is a new, nationally promoted standard for defining skills that support recruitment, training and career development for an organisation's ICT personnel at every level:
creating a common language to describe responsibilities and skills; informing on training and development needs; setting standards for educational and training establishments; informing employers on how to recruit the most appropriate skills; providing clear options for career development; promoting equality of opportunity.

SFIA has been developed as a UK initiative but has the potential to become an international standard for best practice that is non-proprietorial and whose principles are universally applicable. Four case studies of the business application of SFIA will be presented, and the latest developments, SFIA 2, will be announced. This invitation is extended to any organisation that has an interest in understanding, using, promoting or acting as an agency for the new standards.

Cost: Free of Charge
To register contact Sarah Robinson, tel: or e-mail
For further information contact Gordon Greaves, e-mail