Groups tout computer license

Thursday, February 26, 2004

A license to "drive" computers may become the next "must-have" credential for entry-level workers.

The International Computer Driving License already is used in more than 90 countries; more than 13 million driver's license tests have been taken. Now both the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit are promoting the credential in this region. This license can help job applicants prove they have computer skills and help employers assess what an applicant really knows.

The workforce board -- a business-led panel that oversees local employment and training programs -- hosted a meeting yesterday to highlight efforts that would make the training and the test for the license available to about 500 unemployed workers. Those efforts are being led by several local businesses, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and CareerLink, the state's career service center.

As part of the pilot program, Daniele Crisi-Couchenour, human resource manager of EchoStar Satellite in McKeesport, said job applicants who score too low on an in-house test can be referred to the CareerLink center in McKeesport. There, they can receive training and take the license exam. If they pass that, they can reapply at EchoStar months sooner than they could have otherwise.

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is accredited to issue the license, making it the first accredited program for kindergarten through 12th grade in the United States. Its license applies to the entire state although it is working through other intermediate units in other counties.

The workforce board also is planning to send letters to all school districts in Allegheny County, encouraging them to offer the license.

Before recommending the license, the workforce board hired the Lyceum Group to learn what employers mean when they say they want "basic information technology skills."

The study listed 15 basic skills -- such as being able to use word processing, spreadsheets, databases, e-mail and the Internet.

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit already had begun working with the license, and the Lyceum study showed it covered 13 of the 15 basic skills -- all except keyboarding and programming.

"This instrument will meet any of the needs you have for any entry-level job [involving] computer skills," said Bob Dove, vice president of Lyceum.

The test for the license costs $125 from the AIU and is free to those at CareerLink. It contains seven 45-minute modules: basic hardware concepts, computer functions, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation and information, and technology. As more use the test, the price is expected to go down. The AIU also has purchased licenses at $30 each for online training for the test. CareerLink offers choices of training.

AIU executive director Donna Durno believes that when employers start asking for the license, schools will respond to the demand.