BCS commits itself to European skills unit

The British Computer Society will aid Brussels in its skills plans

The British Computer Society has announced its commitment to the e-Skills Industry Leadership Board (ILB), which is part of the European Union's e-skills and digital literacy agenda.

The BCS said today that it had joined the ILB as a board member, and would be helping the group, offering "leadership and coordinate industry advice, pool resources and expertise in support of EU and Member States policies and actions to promote ICT practitioner, user and e-business skills and digital literacy."

In a statement announcing the BCS' commitment to the group Jan Muehlfeit, ILB Co-chair and Chairman Microsoft Europe, said, “As a leading ICT learned society, BCS is well qualified to bring an independent and objective perspective fostering 21st century e-skills and digital literacy for the Union’s workforce and citizens and in furthering a competitive, innovative and inclusive Europe.”

BCS chief executive David Clarke added, “Our new role within the e-Skills ILB also fits within the broader BCS agenda to develop and achieve internationally agreed professional standards across the global ICT practitioner sector.”