The IT User strand of the IT Qualifications Framework takes into account National Occupational Standards, the National Curriculum, GNVQs and Key Skills.
All of these benchmarks define the IT User as demonstrating a broader range of skills than using just one application (such as Word Processing). Any qualification aimed at the IT User should therefore allow learners to demonstrate a range of IT User skills.
As learners progress through the levels, they should demonstrate a greater degree of application and synthesis.
The aim of the IT Practitioner strand of the IT Qualifications Framework is to ensure that vocationally-related qualifications are linked more closely to the requirements of the workplace. Common technical areas have been identified, based on national occupational standards and industry requirements, and these are shown above.
The Practitioner strand of the IT Qualifications Framework has been developed using the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). This has been chosen due to its close mapping to the European Skills Profile Project (Career-Space). The Practitioner strand of the IT Qualifications Framework is consequentially in line with major influences across Europe, including projects supported by the largest ICT companies (Nokia, Microsoft, CISCO, Novell, Philips, Thomson csf, Ericsson, Telefonica, Intel, IBM, Nortel, BT, Siemens).