Students to earn UCAS points from IT training

Students who complete a business-backed tech qualification will now be awarded UCAS points in a move aimed at reducing the tech skills shortage in the UK.

It is hoped UCAS (University and Colleges Admission Service) accreditation will not only encourage more students to take the OCR Certificate and Diploma for IT Professionals (iPRO) but also go on to study IT at university level.

Students who reach certificate standard on the iPRO course will receive 80 UCAS points, the equivalent of a 'B' grade at A-level. The more advanced diploma will net 100 points (the same as an 'A' grade). The points gained from the course can be used for university entry starting in September 2008.

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The iPRO course is aimed at helping students develop professional IT skills for the workplace through theory and practical tasks such as designing computer networks.

Students can take the course at a variety of venues across the UK - such as further education colleges or IT training centres - and while doing A-levels or working.

iPRO includes modules run by various private tech companies including Cisco, Microsoft and Oracle.

A 2005 survey conducted by Cisco and market researcher IDC predicted the UK will be short of 40,000 skilled IT employees by 2008.