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BCS joins European e-skills push

Tom Espiner ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 28 May 2008 15:10 BST

The British Computer Society has joined a body that promotes the development of e-skills in Europe.

The British Computer Society (BCS) announced on Tuesday that it had joined the e-Skills Industry Leadership Board (e-Skills ILB), a body which works with European public authorities and industry to help implement European Commission e-skills initiatives.

"There is now a clear imperative for increased joint action and engagement of European ICT industry stakeholders, and for partnership at the highest level within European Union institutions," said BCS chief executive David Clarke. "Our new role within the e-Skills ILB also fits within the broader BCS agenda to develop and achieve internationally agreed professional standards across the global ICT-practitioner sector."

As a board member, BCS said it will provide leadership, co-ordinate industry advice, and pool resources and expertise to support EU policies and actions promoting ICT professionals, users and e-business.

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E-Skills ILB's members include Cisco, CompTIA, ECDL Foundation, Econet, Eito, European Software Association, Exin, Global Knowledge Network, HP, Inlea Foundation, Intel, Microsoft, Prometric, Oracle and Siemens.

Jan Muehlfeit, e-Skills ILB co-chair and chairman Microsoft Europe, said: "As a leading, ICT-learned society, BCS is well qualified to bring an independent and objective perspective, fostering 21st-century e-skills and digital literacy for the EU's workforce and citizens, and furthering a competitive, innovative and inclusive Europe."

Microsoft is currently being investigated by the European Commission for alleged anti-competitive practices.