What skills do I need?
Keep things running smoothly |
General ICT skills
Almost every working day now starts by pressing the power button on our PC.Whether we’re checking emails, writing letters or searching websites we often take for granted some of the general ICT skills we’re using, which include:
- knowing what a computer is for and what it can do
- handling a mouse, using the keyboard and screen
- literacy, numeracy and language skills
- how to set up accessibility and usability options
- file management:working with documents and folders
- working on a network
- printing documents
- DIY troubleshooting
- routine maintenance
Specialist skills
The computer is a tool and we need to learn how to make it do what we want.We all do different jobs and develop a unique set of skills to deliver them. The exact requirements will depend on the sorts of tasks we’re doing, who we’re doing it with and how frequently we’re likely to be doing it. For example:
- desktop publishing
- budgets and spreadsheets
- producing reports
- web design
- working with images
- accessible and assistive technologies
- ICT training
- computer maintenance
ICT strategy and planning
It is increasingly important that ICT is seen as an issue to be addressed by managers of voluntary and community organisations, as well as by technical staff. Building an ICT plan or strategy needs some degree of confidence about ICT, but not detailed technical skills. It is more about ability to lead the planning process, focus on key issues for the organisation and identify ICT solutions to address those issues.
Funded by ChangeUp and Capacity Builders, net:gain is a programme of professional training and support for chief officers and other managers in the sector, to enable them to harness ICT within their organisation.This encompasses or touches upon a variety of topics which are relevant to ICT but can also be addressed through other training programmes on, for example:
- strategic planning, setting a vision, identifying clear goals
- project management, implementation and delivery
- managing people and resources