Liz Harris gives an overview of the Institute of Administrative Management's (IAM) Online ICT programmes - designed especially to help you.

Training that benefits everyone

If the UK is to prosper as a modern knowledge economy, then the IAM believes we must ensure that everyone in the UK can possess (or at least have the opportunity to learn) excellent skills in key areas, including ICT. We need to be able to acquire skills to the same level as our counterparts in India and China, and sadly, currently, this is not always the case.

The IAM Online Qualifications in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have a three-level structure (see below) and can be studied through IAM Accredited Centres, or at home, online, at your own pace. They are directly relevant to the changing needs of adults, students, universities and employers. Moreover they can be licensed for delivery in-house by employers.

The IAM Level 1 Online Foundation in ICT is a qualification for beginners offering basic competence in Microsoft Office and Adobe software.

The IAM Level 2 Online Award in ICT is ideal for anyone who has some experience of ICT at work or in education, but who wishes to develop the practical skills required for success in future study and/or employment.

The IAM Level 3 Online Certificate in ICT enhances computer skills required by:

• Adults at (or looking for) work, who need a greater degree of competence in ICT for high attainment, personal productivity and career development;
• Anyone who needs to improve their ICT skills;
• Sixth form students in their specialist areas of study in preparation for university;
• Students in further and higher education.

 Unlike many apparently similar programmes, the IAM qualifications have been developed by practitioners operating today, especially for use in colleges, schools and in the home and workplace. The teaching and application of ICT is supported by the qualifications' online assessment software. The IAM certifies the qualifications in this innovative programme developed with specialists from Londonlearning and Dulwich College.

Frequently asked questions

What qualifications and skills will I attain?
At the end of your course, you will gain:

• An internationally recognised qualification, achievable through full-time or part-time study;
• Online tuition, assessment and practical exercises;
• A focus on the practical application of knowledge and ICT skills required for further study or employment.

How will studying affect my home and working lives?

The three qualifications are vocational (designed to be relevant to work) and coursework is really important for showing that you can use the skills you have learned correctly, on a regular basis. This means that, unlike some other IT awards, the IAM qualifications actually show that the ICT skills you have attained can be effectively used at work. The key features of online tutorials and online assessment make this a great option for people at all levels. You can work independently at a pace that suits you best.

Is this aimed at me or my children?

Existing students have already encouraged their families to enrol on the IAM courses. "My mum could do with learning that for her job," said one pupil at a recent open day.

Online assessment has meant that parents too can progress at their own pace and ask their sons or daughters for help when needed. The IAM applauds this as a wonderful use of technology for bringing families together.

Dulwich College, for example, offers online ICT courses to adults in its local community - the exact course that all their pupils follow. Sixth formers provide learning support drop-in sessions at the college and its other locations. It's a simple model and easily scaleable.

Many parents are worried that they lack the IT skills that they see their children developing. Their children now act as learning mentors. This is a great way for companies to help their employees and their families, whilst improving the efficiency of their own organisations.

Alan, a Year 10 pupil also at Bloxham School reported, "Learning to use Microsoft software correctly like this has saved me hours and hours. It's much better than what we did before. Thank you."

Steve Luck, Head of ICT at a Newcastle-under-Lyme school reports, "Teachers of other subjects comment on how the standard of presentation of coursework has improved since pupils have followed the ICT course."

How do I get started?

These programmes are designed for self-learning, although you may attend colleges or other training institutes. Details of IAM tuition providers, in the UK and throughout the world, are available from the IAM. Study can take from as little as one month, although a period of 3-12 months is more usual. For example, the Level 1 and Level 2 awards require 60 hours of study each, with 180 hours for the Level 3.

All you need to do is complete a simple registration form so that you can follow the programme and receive your award when you successfully attain your chosen qualification.

What will it cost me?

The fee structure for studying from home, or through an IAM Accredited Centre is as follows:
When studying through an IAM Accredited Centre, there is a provider fee plus:

• Level 1 - £60.00;
• Level 2 - £60.00;
• Level 3 - £150.00.

We recommend that you confirm with your chosen tuition provider what their fees will be.

When studying alone, the IAM covers the administration and costs are:

• Level 1 - £100.00;
• Level 2 - £100.00;
• Level 3 - £200.00.

The Institute of Administrative Management (IAM)

First featured in Facilities Manager last year, The Institute of Administrative Management is an internationally recognised professional membership body, which also offers a suite of qualifications supporting the needs of administrators and managers in both the public and private sectors. The IAM does this by offering vocational membership through experience or via a Qualifying Programme at Introductory (L2), Certificate (L3), Diploma (L4) and Advanced Diploma (L5) levels. The IAM is recognised by the QCA as an authorised awarding body, and the Levels 2, 3, 4 and 5 are on the National Qualifications Framework.

After the Advanced Diploma, a further one year's study leads to the award of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Strategic Administrative Management offered in collaboration with the Oxford Brookes University Business School. This is a dedicated degree programme for IAM members.

Many new programmes have recently been introduced to the Institute, especially the innovative ICT suite of qualifications, including IAM Level 1 Online Foundation in ICT, The IAM Level 2 Online Award in ICT and The IAM Level 3 Online Certificate. These new qualifications have been developed as part of our commitment to supporting people in today's world of work. The IAM believes strongly in the concept of lifelong learning and offers a structured CPD programme to encourage participants to take ownership of their personal and professional development. This can take the form of additional, formal qualifications or simply ongoing updating of knowledge.

Vocational membership and qualifications at the Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and BA (Hons) Strategic Administrative Management levels entitle the holder to use designatory letters after their name. Graduates, Fellows and Members of the Institute are also entitled to use the designations "Incorporated Administrator" or "Incorporated Administrative Manager".

The IAM stresses flexibility in its approach - study can be undertaken through distance/open learning providers or via more formal part time study at colleges throughout the UK (and overseas: the IAM has students and members in more than 65 countries). Flexibility can also be provided to employers through tailored Certificates in Management Practice designed to meet development needs of junior and middle managers and offered in-house on company premises.

The IAM was founded in 1915 and is believed to be the oldest UK-based management institute. One of its principal strengths is its approach to the maintenance of the highest possible educational standards, which are applied uniformly in the UK and internationally. It has well-established and exacting quality control procedures that are regularly reviewed and are applied consistently to every provider of the IAM's programme. The maintenance of quality standards and educational excellence is at the core of the IAM's approach and is the foundation of the Institute's 92-year-old reputation.

ICT graduates

Pupils at the prestigious Wolverhampton Grammar School, founded by the first Merchant Taylor to become Lord Mayor of London, Sir Stephen Jenyns, are confident that they have achieved the necessary ICT skills to equip them for university study and employment in the modern world.

No doubt Sir Stephen, a man of vision, an influential employer, and a key figure in the City of London in the 16th century, would have applauded the success of Wolverhampton Grammar school today. If he was listening in on the school he founded in 1512, he would have heard the Institute's Chief Executive David Woodgate, himself a former banker in the City of London, congratulate pupils on their success, the first school in the Midlands to achieve the IAM Online Awards in ICT. The senior school assembly heard that competency in ICT, actually being able to use modern software applications efficiently and effectively, is a modern-day requisite for being a successful employee - whether in the City or in any profession around the world. David Woodgate reminded pupils that India was already producing one million graduates a year, equipped with essential ICT skills, and together with China, they provide considerable competition for UK employers to face, now and in the future.

Dr Bernard Trafford, Headmaster, thanked David Woodgate for visiting the school. He told the assembly of Year 10 and 11 pupils how pleased he was with the achievement of the first group of pupils to complete the online courses developed by Londonlearning and its partners and validated by the IAM, and to receive the important qualification certificates from a professional Institute. He looked forward to all pupils in Year 11 completing their e-portfolios in the near future and demonstrating their ICT competency to national standards. (The IAM is currently working with the QCA for these Awards to be included on the National Qualifications Framework alongside the IAM's core Administrative Management programmes.)

Further information

For more details on the Online ICT Awards at Levels 1, 2 and 3 please contact: IAM Customer Services, Tel: 020 7841 1100, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

About the author

Liz Harris is Head of Marketing and Communications at the IAM.