International/European Computer Driving Licence

The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Concept is a part of a global computer literacy initiative [The International Computer Driving License - ICDL] developed to raise the level of knowledge about Information Technology (IT) and increase the level of competence in using personal computers and common computer applications for all the citizens of the world.

Owned and coordinated by The European Computer Driving Licence Foundation Limited (ECDL-F), a not-for-profit organization based in Dublin, Ireland, the ICDL is an internationally recognized, vendor-neutral certificate that demonstrates a person's competence in computing knowledge and skills in accordance with international standards. ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) and ICDL are synonymous, and identical standards apply to both.

The ECDL-F has produced a set of standards and quality guidelines, which govern the procedures for the ICDL concept and ensure that it is operated in a consistent fashion in all member countries through adherence to these common quality standards.

Objectives

The objectives of ECDL-F and ICDL are:

To promote and encourage computer literacy for all.
To raise the level of knowledge about Information Technology and the level of competence in using personal computers and common computer applications for all citizens.
To ensure all computer users understand best practices and advantages of using a personal computer.
To increase the productivity of all employees who use personal computers in their work.
To enable better returns from investments in IT.
To provide a recognized qualification which will allow all people, regardless of their background, to be part of the Information Society.

ECDL Approved Courseware

ECDL/ICDL Certification Program

ICDL is an internationally recognized standard of competence for computer users. It is a certificate awarded to a person who has passed one theoretical Test on the Basic Concepts of Information Technology (IT) and six practice-based Tests using a personal computer and common computer applications.

The seven Test Modules are:

Basic Concepts of Information Technology (IT)
Using the Computer and Managing Files
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Database
Presentation
Information and Communication

The ICDL product, for a candidate, consists of two physical elements:

Skills Cards

When a candidate registers to start the ECDL/ICDL certification program he/she receives a Skills Card on which the approved Test Centre(s) records the candidate's progress through the seven Test Modules. When all seven modules have been successfully completed, the Approved Test Centre sends the completed Skills Card to ECDL/ICDL Foundation where it will be exchanged for an International Computer Driving Licence.

European / International Computer Driving Licence

The ECDL/ICDL is the actual certificate that attests to the holder's ability to use a personal computer and common computer applications, and states that the holder has been tested according to the ECDL/ICDL standard based upon a single universal Syllabus. The ECDL/ICDL is an internationally accepted document and has a similar format throughout licensed countries.

What Are The Benefits?

The ECDL/ICDL's core certification, the ECDL/ICDL, is the cornerstone of the entire range of ECDL/ICDL Certification.

As the global standard for end-user computer skills, the ECDL/ICDL is widely recognized for the variety of benefits, it brings to the individual, employers and society.

Benefits for the individuals:

The ECDL/ICDL has been shown to:

Increase essential IT skills levels
Increase confidence in computer use
Provide internationally-recognized qualification
Improve job prospects and job mobility
Provide a platform from which to move on to higher-level IT education. Benefits for the employers:

The ECDL/ICDL has been shown to:

Increase productivity
Reduce costs
Increase the quality of output
Reduce time wasted
Make better use of IT resources
Provide a better return on IT investments
Provide a tangible benchmark for computer user skills

Benefits for society:

At a societal level, the ECDL/ICDL:

Raises the general level of competency in computer skills
Promotes computer literacy
Creates a gateway to the Information Society
Generates employment in the training and testing services and products sectors.

The ECDL/ICDL is designed specifically for those who wish to gain a basic qualification in computing to help them with their current job, to develop their IT skills, and to enhance their career prospects. No prior knowledge of IT or computer skills is needed to obtain the ICDL. However, you may need to study or train prior to sitting for the tests.

Associated Courses

If you are going to do the ECDL or ICDL, why not also do the British Computer Society's Unit E Certification program designed to take students of the ECDL/ICDL program to level 2?

Bulk Buying?

If you require multiple copies, please contact our corporate sales team to discuss terms available.

ECDL / ICDL Approved Training & Test Centres

A test centre needs to be accredited by ECDL/ICDL Foundation before offering the ECDL/ICDL tests. Approved centres can only carry out testing.

Options

The ICDL/ECDL training courses are available either on CD ROM or delivered over the web. Be sure to choose the best method for you.