The three new certified professional of information technology (CPIT) titles are Associate Project Manager -- CPIT (APM), Business Analyst -- CPIT (BA), and Information Security Officer -- CPIT (InfoSec).
Covering a variety of disciplines, these accredited programmes recognise IT expertise in the areas of project management, business analysis, and information security. They are designed to expand the horizon for IT professionals and help organisations ensure the success of critical IT projects, optimise costs and enhance productivity.
Together, they join the three original certifications rolled out by HKITPC launched in June 2007: Project Director -- CPIT (PD), Systems Architect -- CPIT (SA), and Quality Assurance Manager - CPIT (QAM).
Entry level
Sunny Lee, chairman of HKITPC, said the three new certifications are "more of entry level" programmes and are targeted at young IT practitioners with about two or three years of work experience.
"With the new certification programmes, we hope to encourage life-long learning and provide quality support development [for young IT professionals], and in turn let the local IT industry penetrate the mainland Chinese market," Lee said.
The HKITPC, founded in 2007, is a non-profit institute that pioneered the first IT professional certification scheme in Hong Kong, which synchronises with the Hong Kong Education Bureau's Qualifications Framework established in May 2008.
The Hong Kong's Qualifications Framework defines the standards of different qualifications to ensure their quality and indicate the progression paths of different professions.
Exam and work experience required
Candidates applying for the new titles are required to sit for an examination organised by the HKITPC, said Agnes Mak, director of HKITPC. Examination fee per certification title is HK$2,500 (US$322). The soonest examination will be in mid-May, and the next in mid-November.
To prepare for them, candidates can enrol into HKITPC-endorsed courses on an optional basis. The courses are run by three local institutions: PEAK (Professional Education And Knowledge) of Vocational Training Council, Productivity Training Institute of the Productivity Council, and the school of continuing studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Apart from the exams, HKITPC requires candidates to acquire a minimum of two years of related work experience to achieve any of the three new titles. Fresh graduates may first take the examination and gain the work experience later.
Facilitate effective recruitment
As of today, 50 senior IT professionals have obtained one of the original certifications [CPIT (PD), CPIT (SA), and CPIT (QAM)]. In Hong Kong, the CPIT scheme has been endorsed by 28 corporations including Cathay Pacific, China Construction Bank (Asia), China Light and Power, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, MTR, Towngas, and The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Joe Locandro, director of group IT at China Light and Power, said: "[The three new certification titles] allow us to attract young talent more effectively and retain outstanding staff."