Ravensbourne reveals plans to extend access to Digital & Technology Solutions Professional qualification
Digital media and design training specialist Ravensbourne has announced the degree apprenticeship qualification that it developed for BT Sport will be open to all from January 2017. The Digital & Technology Solutions Professional BSc qualification typically runs over three years and is delivered in blocks.
Delivery at Ravensbourne is through bootcamps, weekends and evening sessions, with the work based learning taking place at the employer. The employer is responsible for this training and keeps records of progress and achievement in accordance with the Apprenticeship Standard requirements.
“This is a model that has been ‘road tested’ over the last couple of years and fine-tuned to reflect the demands of working and learning and seems to be performing well,” says Ravensbourne consultant Michael O’Sullivan.
BT Sport remains involved with the programme and will place a number of students on the course. For more information, please contact O’Sullivan directly at m.o’[email protected].
Meanwhile, here is an overview of the apprenticeship qualification:
BSc – Digital & Technology Solutions Professional
Typical Job Titles: Software Developer, Software Engineer, Software Tester, Application Specialist, Business Analyst, IT Project Manager, IT Consultant, Network Engineer, Cyber Security Analyst, Database Specialist, Data Analyst, Digital Media Technology Practitioner, Systems Designer.
Role Profile: A Digital & Technology Solutions Professional provides technology enabled solutions to internal and/or external customers. They implement technology solutions that enable businesses to develop new products and services and to increase an organisations productivity using digital technologies.. The occupation is based upon a core set of outcomes that will be supplemented by one, and only one, of six specialism areas detailed below that cover the roles identified by employers.
Entry Requirements: Individual employers will set the selection criteria, but this is likely to include three ‘A’ levels, including Maths, although some employers will accept other relevant qualifications or experience.
Core Skills:
Information Systems: is able to critically analyse a business domain in order to identify the role of information systems.
Systems Development: analyses business and technical requirements to select and specify appropriate technology solutions.
Data: identifies organisational information requirements and can model data solutions using conceptual data modelling techniques.
Cyber Security: can undertake a security risk assessment for a simple IT system and propose resolution advice.
Business Organisation: can apply organisational theory, change management, marketing, strategic practice, human resource management and IT service management to technology solutions development.
IT Project Management: follows a systematic methodology for initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing technology solutions projects..
Computer and Network Infrastructure: can plan, design and manage computer networks with an overall focus on the services and capabilities that network infrastructure solutions enable in an organisational context.
Specialism Outcomes: Each of the specialisms is set out below. All apprentices will require the core skills and knowledge to be combined with the specialist skills and knowledge to be able to operate effectively in the defined role. The employer will select one, and only one, of the specialisms for the apprentice, which is specific to the role the apprentice will be performing.
Software Engineer: The primary role of a software engineer is to be able to design, build and test high-quality software solutions. The software engineer role is broader and with higher levels of responsibility than a software developer as they need to apply engineering principles to all stages of the software development process, from requirements, analysis and design, development and data requirements whilst ensuring security robustness is built in.
IT Consultant: An IT consultant requires a broad set of skills in business analysis, solutions development, network infrastructure, data, cyber security etc. They use their consulting skills in order to advise clients on how to best utilise technology to meet their business objectives, overcome problems and increase productivity.
Business Analyst: A business analyst is responsible for assessing the business impact of change, capturing, analysing and documenting requirements and supporting the communication and delivery of requirements with relevant stakeholders. They create detailed analysis of systems and make recommendations for improvement. They produce specifications of user requirements that enable software engineers to develop the right software solutions.
Cyber Security Analyst: A cyber security analyst is responsible for the implementation, maintenance and support of the security controls that protect an organisation’s systems and data assets from threats and hazards. They ensure that security technologies and practices are operating in accordance with the organisation’s policies and standards to provide continued protection.
Data Analyst: The primary role of a data analyst is to collect, organise and study data to provide new business insight. They are responsible for providing up-to-date, accurate and relevant data analysis for the organisation. They are typically involved with managing, cleansing, abstracting and aggregating data across the network infrastructure.
Network Engineer: The primary role of a network engineer is to design, install, maintain and support communication networks within an organisation or between organisations. They need to maintain high levels of network performance performance and availability for their users, such as staff, clients, customers and suppliers. They will understand network configuration, cloud, network administration and monitoring tools, and be able to give technical advice and guidance.