Talk the talk

Craig Bewley, managing director of Prodigy, talks to David Clerkin.

You distribute certification programs for users of computer software. What does certification involve?

Certification is the benchmark by which people's computer skills can be measured. The words "proficient" or "competent" are very difficult for employers to determine, as they vary from person to person. Certification therefore is the proof that somebody has achieved certain skills. Microsoft Office Specialist and IC3 certification are industry-required standards that are recognised around the world. Prodigy distributes the software that enables people to achieve these certifications.

How important is certification? What's in it for PC users?

Certification is becoming increasingly more important and sought after. For PC users, Microsoft Office Specialist and IC3 certification will enable them to get better salaries and jobs. In a recent study in Ireland, people with Microsoft Office Specialist certification receive at least 15% more pay.

What can you tell me about the Microsoft IT Academy?

The Microsoft IT Academy Program is a new global program that involves Microsoft partnering with secondary schools and colleges to deliver excellence in vocational education. The program has been designed by education for education, and will allow Microsoft to provide support for educators and partners to address the IT training needs of the present and future workforce in Ireland. The program provides a complete solution for schools to train and certify their students in either Office 2000, Office XP and Office System 2003, to achieve the internationally recognised Microsoft Office Specialist and IC3 qualifications. A total training and certification solution is offered from the provision of courseware based on Microsoft Press Step-by-Step training materials, to performance-based examinations, all within the academic budget.

How receptive have you found schools to the idea? How many students have signed up?

The reaction to the IT Academy Programme has been fantastic among secondary schools in Ireland. So far this year, we have 100 schools signed up and we expect to have at least 150 by the end of June 2004. Most schools are introducing IC3 into their computer studies classes in first year and Microsoft Office Specialist in transition year and beyond.

Please tell us a little about Prodigy.

We are the master distributors on behalf of Microsoft and Certiport for the Microsoft Office Specialist and IC3 certification programmes. Our role is to increase the usage and awareness of these programmes throughout the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Anything else we should know?

Ireland currently has the highest per capita level of people sitting Microsoft Office Specialist exams in the world. Last year, Andrew Flood from Árd Scoil Rís in Limerick, at the age of 16, won the world championships in using Microsoft Word XP.