The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has introduced an elearning programme to prepare staff for the outsourcing of its IT systems.

The scheme is designed to

help support staff hone their skills ahead of transferring from the MoD Information Systems (IS) division to the private sector, under the terms of the MoD’s £4bn, 10-year Defence Information Infrastructure with the EDS-led Atlas consortium (Computing, 9 March 2005).

‘We developed this course with the long-term prospect of the rationalisation across the MoD in mind,’ Craig Parry, MoD IS delivery directorate training officer, told Computing.

‘Details about the outsourcing were sketchy, which affected the feeling of job security among staff. There was a possibility of losing staff, and the skills they had acquired.’

The MoD awarded the Atlas contract in March, to improve communications between civil servants, the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

Although the MoD has provided in-house training in the past, Parry says it has never offered certified courses leading to formally recognised qualifications.

‘This was a good incentive and reward for staying with the MoD,’ he said. ‘And it left staff equipped for decisions they would be making in the future.’

Parry and his team worked with specialist training supplier QA to develop a custom-built curriculum for IT support staff, leading to a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) qualification.

‘The IT helpdesk fulfils a key role as the first point of contact, through to technical support, data storage and configuration responsibilities,’ said Parry.

MoD support staff are assessed for their suitability to take the course. Once approved to attend, they are given access to a combination of web-based support materials and a five-day residential, classroom-based course.

Students can reference Microsoft tests and email instructors via the QA web site before sitting the formal Microsoft-accredited exams within 12 months of taking the course.

‘More than 80 out of a department of 180 have attended the course,’ said Parry. ‘Staffing levels have stabilised, giving individuals the chance to look at different areas of work and making them more versatile.’