Q-Validus Officially Launches Computer Wings® in the UK Market
Glasgow, Scotland, 6 October 2009, Q-Validus, the Dublin-based international certification solutions provider, today launched Computer Wings in Scotland. Computer Wings is a new and exciting practical computer skills certification programme focused on real-world tasks and roles in the modern workplace. The launch took place in Coatbridge College, Glasgow which is now the first Authorised Computer Wings Centre in the UK.
Computer Wings is a vocational or role based progressive skills programme, which focuses on key functional activities within a modern organisation: communication, marketing, IT networks and security, business development, process flows and project management.
Computer Wings is for organisations and candidates seeking to develop new skills such as Project Management, e-Marketing, Search Engine Optimisation, Web Creation and Web Analytics techniques with computer applications whose usage is becoming increasingly common in today's workplace, such as, MS Project, Visio, Publisher, Dreamweaver, Google Analytics and Ad Words.
Coatbridge College is a further education college located in central Scotland with over 6,000 enrolled students. Through its commercial arm, Business Solutions, the College engages extensively with employers across Scotland and the UK to offer innovative and flexible products and services.
Also speaking at the launch, John Doyle, College Principal, Coatbridge College said, "Coatbridge College is delighted to be the first accredited provider of this important qualification in Scotland. This accreditation has been the result of a strong partnership with Q-Validus and Enterprise Ireland and we look forward to developing our relationship in the future. Partnerships such as these will become increasingly important in the future as we continue our engagement with employers to deliver innovative and relevant products."
Computer Wings is endorsed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and has been credit rated and leveled against the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Nine of the Computer Wings modules are designated as SCQF Level 7 and one is designated as SCQF Level 6. Q-Validus is working in partnership with SQA to promote Computer Wings throughout Scotland and internationally.
Joe Wilson, SQA New Ventures Manager said, "SQA is delighted to be associated with the Computer Wings programme. We look forward to continuing to work with Q-Validus to promote these very useful products."
Enterprise Ireland's Scotland Country Manager, Christine Esson said, "Q-Validus is a great example of a company developing world-beating technology enabling skills programmes in Ireland at the moment. Being adopted by Coatbridge College as the first authorised Computer Wings centre in the UK, is a real endorsement of Q-Validus and Computer Wings and will prove a great shop window to demonstrate the productivity this programme can deliver. The launch today is not just great news for the company but also for Ireland's reputation as a country at the very cutting edge of technological development."
Cliona Manahan, Consul General of Ireland to Scotland, who also attended the launch said, "Today, we mark a new First for Ireland and Scotland. Ireland is particularly proud of this major, new connection. Coatbridge is the home to generations of Irish people who settled here, and throughout Scotland. They are represented now in every sphere of civic life and enrich the economic, political, social and cultural development of Scotland - and beyond. Coatbridge is now a thriving community and one which is moving with confidence through the 21st century. We now look forward to the dispersal of Computer Wings from this town, to other cities and towns throughout Scotland."
To become part of the wider UK roll-out of the Computer Wings progressive skills programme contact us at centres@computerwings.com and visit www.computerwings.com .
ENDS
6 October 2009
For further information contact Garry Cleere, Q-Validus, email: garry.cleere@q-validus.com, tel: (01) 716 3740.
Editors Notes
Q-Validus, headquartered at NovaUCD the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at University College Dublin, was established in 2007 and is already recognised as one of the most innovative players in the certification solutions sector. Q-Validus is supported by Enterprise Ireland and is part of the agency's High Potential Start-up Programme. www.q-validus.com
Coatbridge College is a further education college located in central Scotland with over 6,000 enrolled students. Through its commercial arm, Business Solutions, the College engages extensively with employers across Scotland and the UK to offer innovative and flexible products and services. www.bizsolutions.org.uk and www.coatbridge.ac.uk
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is the national accreditation and awarding body in Scotland. SQA works in partnership with schools, colleges, universities and industry to provide high quality, flexible and relevant qualifications and assessments - embedding industry standards where appropriate. We strive to ensure that SQA qualifications are inclusive, accessible to all, that they provide clear progression pathways, facilitate lifelong learning and recognise candidate achievement. www.sqa.co.uk
NovaUCD is University College Dublin's Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre. Twenty-four knowledge-intensive companies, including Q-Validus, are currently located in NovaUCD. www.ucd.ie/nova .
Enterprise Ireland is the Irish government agency responsible for the development and promotion of the Irish businesses. www.enterprise-ireland.com