COVID-19 has had a major impact on nearly every area of our lives. Training and education are no exception. To support candidates in keeping some normality during this difficult time, accredited ECDL Test Centres can now offer remote ECDL certification test sessions. This means the candidates are now able to sit for ECDL tests from home using a laptop/computer with a web cam and microphone. An Internet connection will be required.

ECDL candidates are advised to contact the Test Centre where they usually sit for ECDL tests. The Test Centre will be able to advise the candidates how they will be working with the ECDL programme during the COVID-19 crisis.

Remote ECDL testing is allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic and may be withdrawn by ECDL Malta when standard testing procedures are deemed acceptable by the health authorities.

ECDL Malta operates the ECDL certification programme on behalf of ECDL Foundation which is the certifying authority of the world’s leading end-user computer skills certification programme. ECDL Malta may be contacted here.

ICDL digital skills certification programme launched to equip workers with skills for today and tomorrow

ECDL Foundation has launched a refreshed digital skills certification and brand identity that will help meet the digital skills needs of students, workers and professionals across Europe at a time when technologies are developing faster than ever before. ICDL, the new name for the programme was launched at an event in Brussels on May 10.

ICDL is a leading global digital skills certification that empowers people to get the most from technology in their professional and private lives. More than 70 million ICDL certification tests have been taken by over 16 million candidates. ICDL is available in over 100 countries through a network of 20,000 test centres.

ICDL, previously known as ECDL in Europe, was first created as a joint-project between several computer societies in Europe, with funding from the European Union, in 1997. Since then, the programme has grown to every European country, as well as countries across 6 continents.

ICDL Foundation CEO, Damien O’Sullivan, said, “We have seen great success with ECDL, but with a fresh brand identity and new programme content, we are ready to face our next 20 years.”

“The skills that everyday computer users need are changing fast. Technology is becoming a bigger part of all jobs, and the types of things that employers expect their workers to be able to do are changing too. We’re launching new modules, like Data Analytics and Digital Marketing, as well as a new programme structure to make sure ICDL certifies the skills that will help people work more effectively and efficiently.”

The ICDL programme launched by the ECDL Foundation will not impact the past and present candidates following the ECDL certification programme.

ECDL Malta operates the ECDL certification programme on behalf of ECDL Foundation which is the certifying authority of the world’s leading end-user computer skills certification programme. ECDL Malta may be contacted here.

A new intermediate module on Information Literacy was launched by ECDL Malta. The module aims to give candidates the skills to find, critically evaluate, and work with information online.

Information Literacy covers the essential skills for working with online information, including how to source information, critically evaluate the worth and reliability of the information, and then present the information or reuse it. It is particularly relevant in the context of concerns around fake news and potentially harmful information online.

Targeted at a range of candidates, the module has been developed to ECDL Foundation’s very high quality standards, with input from international experts. Information Literacy has already been successfully run in Asia, and provides a trusted guarantee of a candidate’s skills in working with online information.

Damien O’Sullivan, CEO of ECDL Foundation, said, “Young people need to have the skills to find information, assess it, and work with it. Whether they are working on a school project, preparing for further study, or entering the workforce, working with online information is a core competence in many areas of life these days. Our new Information Literacy module is a guarantee of those skills and competences.”

Information Literacy is one of the latest ECDL Intermediate modules launched by ECDL Foundation. The ECDL programme is used in training for workforces in the public and private sectors around the world, and is integrated into a number of education systems.

In the coming weeks ECDL accredited Test Centres will be offering training and testing in this module. Candidates undertaking this module will be provided with official courseware developed by the ECDL Foundation.

More information about the Information Literacy module including the syllabus is available here.

ECDL Malta operates the ECDL certification programme on behalf of ECDL Foundation which is the certifying authority of the world’s leading end-user computer skills certification programme. ECDL Malta may be contacted here.

Over the last decade, the growth of the digital economy and social networks has resulted in huge flows of personal data being gathered and processed by a wide range of organisations. This can benefit citizens, offering access to new and better services; however, there is also the danger that personal data can be misused. To protect personal data, data protection rules and regulations have been implemented in Malta. Now, a new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which comes into force on 25 May 2018, will standardise data protection measures within the EU.

ECDL Foundation has developed a new module – ECDL Data Protection – to certify individuals who need to understand and comply with principles of data protection and who specifically need to understand the requirements of the GDPR. It is not a specialised certification for data protection officers. Instead, it is aimed at the broad group of workers who, either regularly or occasionally,
handle personal data and need, therefore, to be aware of the new regulatory requirements. In addition, the module is useful for all citizens in highlighting the rights that they have as data subjects and the responsibility of organisations to manage their personal data appropriately.

Data Protection is the newest of ECDL Foundation’s Intermediate level modules. It has been developed to the same high standards as all other ECDL modules. The ECDL programme is used in training for workforces in the public and private sectors around the world, and is integrated into a number of education systems.

In the coming weeks ECDL accredited Test Centres will be offering training and testing in this module. Candidates undertaking this module will be provided with official courseware developed by the ECDL Foundation. More information about the Data Protection module including the syllabus is available here.

ECDL Malta operates the ECDL certification programme on behalf of ECDL Foundation which is the certifying authority of the world’s leading end-user computer skills certification programme. ECDL Malta may be contacted here.

In recent months, the ECDL Foundation started developing courseware for all ECDL modules. ECDL Malta through the network of accredited Test Centres shall be providing this courseware to all candidates registered on the ECDL Certification programme.

Candidates purchasing certification test/s (Base, Intermediate or Advanced) from a Test Centre will be provided with courseware and quick reference guide/s for the relevant module test/s purchased. There shall be no charge for this courseware and quick reference guide/s. An appropriate fee may however be charged by the Test Centre to recover the costs associated with the provision of printed
or electronic versions of the courseware and quick reference guides.

The provision of ECDL Foundation courseware will assist Test Centres to enhance the quality of ECDL training. Additionally, all candidates will now benefit from quality training material that complements the training received from Test Centres. More information about training and courseware is here.

ECDL Malta operates the ECDL certification programme on behalf of the ECDL Foundation which is the certifying authority of the world’s leading end-user computer skills certification programme. ECDL Malta may be contacted here.

ECDL Malta has launched a new module, certifying essential digital marketing skills during an event attended by representatives of ECDL accredited Test Centres. The Digital Marketing module is aimed at a range of candidates, including entrepreneurs, workers in small businesses, students, and marketing and communications professionals working in the public and private sector.

The module covers core digital marketing topics, including, maintaining a presence online, using social media to promote a business, and using online advertising and marketing services. It has been developed to meet the strong demand for new types of digital skills, driven in part by the rise of e-commerce and consumers’ rapid adoption of the web and social media as places to shop and spend money, as well as to socialise.

Like all ECDL modules, the Digital Marketing module has been developed to rigorously high standards, with the input of experts, computer users, and practising digital marketing professionals from around the world. It certifies candidates’ skills to an internationally recognised standard that is both relevant and comprehensive.

In the coming weeks ECDL accredited Test Centres will be offering training and testing in this module. Candidates undertaking this module will be provided with official courseware developed by the ECDL Foundation. More information about the Digital Marketing module including the syllabus is here.

Digital Marketing is the newest of ECDL Foundation’s Intermediate level modules. It has been developed to the same high standards as all other ECDL modules. The ECDL programme is used in training for workforces in the public and private sectors around the world, and is integrated into a number of education systems. The Digital Marketing module forms part of ECDL Foundation’s pledge to the European Commission’s Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs, which aims to raise levels of digital skills to boost employment in Europe and close skills gaps.

ECDL Malta operates the ECDL certification programme on behalf of the ECDL Foundation which is the certifying authority of the world’s leading end-user computer skills certification programme. ECDL Malta may be contacted here.