BTEC National for IT Practitioners: Core units

Sharon Yull

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2009
• ISBN:
  9781136443220
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Computer Science General
• Index: Computer Science

BTEC National for IT Practitioners has been written specifically to cover the compulsory core units and selected specialist units of the BTEC National specifications. This book provides core unit coverage for students following all courses within the new scheme – National Awards, National Certificates and National Diplomas. When used alongside its companions for the business and systems support pathways, this series delivers the most accessible and usable student textbooks available for the BTEC National.Units covered:

Unit 1 – Communication and Employability Skills
Unit 8 – Communication Technologies
Unit 2 – Computer Systems
Unit 15 – Organizational Systems Security
Unit 3 – Information Systems
Unit 18 – Principles of Software Design and Development
Unit 7 – IT Systems Analysis and Design
Unit 21 – Website Production and Management Written by an experienced tutor, each unit is illustrated with assessment activities, end-of-chapter questions, case studies and practical exercises. The result is a clear, straightforward textbook that encourages independent study and acts as a reference to various topics within the qualification.

Courtesy of iStockphoto, diane39, Image# 4313218

Communication at all levels is essential in today’s working environment. The ability to exchange ideas, discuss progress, update and provide feedback, set goals and objectives, plan and make decisions both on an individual, team and organisational level is paramount. If a company is going to grow and be successful within the marketplace they have to know and maintain their target audience and be more strategically focussed and competitive within their business environment.

Chapter 1

Communication and Employability Skills

This chapter will provide you with an insight into what employers are looking for in terms of a well-rounded employee in today’s society. The skill requirements of the past have now been overtaken by a range of softer, more transferable skills and knowledge.

The need for good, transferable skills and the ability to be an effective communicator are valued very highly among employers, and it is these types of skills that individuals should be developing. Within the chapter you will be introduced to a range of attributes that employers value. In conjunction with this, you will learn how to communicate effectively and the contribution that ICT makes. Finally, the chapter will explore the area of personal development plans and ways of addressing them.

Each section within the chapter will focus on one of four learning outcomes:

• Understand the attributes of employees that are valued by employers.
• Understand the principles of effective communication.
• Be able to exploit ICT to communicate effectively.
• Be able to identify personal development needs and the ways of addressing them.

Embedded within each section there will be a range of activities that will strengthen your understanding of the subject matter and provide you with the support you need to complete effectively some of the evidence requirements for the unit.

Understand the Attributes of Employees that are Valued by Employers

Employers today want it all: knowledge, skills, technical and practical ability and above all, it could be argued, a good portfolio of transferable skills. The ability to communicate effectively within the workplace seems to be increasingly a highly desirable attribute.

Employers demand a great deal from any potential employee. Usually, job applications and person specifications identify essential and desirable skills, with many of the essential criteria including:

Specific job-related skills
Technical knowledge
Planning and organizational skills
Effective time management skills
Ability to work within a team
Good written and verbal skills
Good numeracy skills
Having the right attitude
Making a good contribution to the organization’s aims and objectives

To be successful in your chosen profession and job role it is important to develop a portfolio of these skills which can demonstrate that you are the right person for the job in today’s competitive market.

Specific Job-Related Attributes

Job-related attributes are very specific to a particular organization or role. The need for these attributes may change depending on the functional department you work for, your position and your seniority.

The need for technical knowledge is very person and job specific. For example, a network administrator may need to know about:

• network topologies
• systems architecture
• network protocols
• how to configure systems hardware and software
• network security procedures
• performance monitoring,

whereas a project manager would need a different skill set based on:

• resource planning and allocation
• target setting and monitoring
• time management
• budgets and financial control
• specific project management software knowledge.

Technical knowledge can be learnt and enhanced through training and development to ensure that an individual is equipped with the skills and ability to perform their job role.

Activity 1.1

For each of the following job roles identify two desirable skills and one essential skill that they may need.

Job role	Desirable skills	Essential skill
Lawyer	1	1
	2
Teacher	1	1
	2
Electrician	1	1
	2
Store manager	1	1
	2
Doctor	1	1
	2

Technical Knowledge

Technical knowledge will provide you with the specific theory and skills required to perform your job role. Technical knowledge and expertise will vary depending on the job role; for example, technical knowledge required to be a surgeon may include the study of anatomy, surgical procedures, and knowledge about medicines and anaesthetics. Technical knowledge for an accountant, however, may include financial accounting procedures, auditing techniques, preparation of company accounts, and profit and loss techniques.

Working Procedures and Systems

In conjunction with technical knowledge individuals also need to be aware of working procedures and systems. Working procedures and systems can be classified as generic or specific. Generic implies that all organizations have similar systems in place to address issues such as health and safety, data protection, and compliance with other legislative and statutory requirements. Therefore, an awareness of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 will be a standard procedure within most organizations. Specific working procedures and systems are unique to the organization and these could include compliance with a set of rules, codes or professional practice. For example, a specific policy may have been set up regarding dress code.

Working procedures and systems in most cases are not taught or studied, unlike the requirement for technical knowledge. These procedures and systems require an awareness and sometimes compliance by the individual once they are established in their job role. Working procedures and systems are essential to any job role as they provide the guidelines and instruction in terms of working and behaving as a professional.

Activity 1.2

Choose an organization, or an individual who works in an organization, that is easily accessible to you.

1. Produce a questionnaire or an interview sheet with at least five questions. These questions should include identification of a range of technical knowledge and working procedures and systems.
2. Present the interview sheet or questionnaire to the organization or individual and ask them whether they can respond to the questions NB. The questions should identify what technical knowledge is required to enable the individual or employees within the organization to meet the requirements of their jo...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• 1. Communication and Employability Skills (Unit 1)
• 2. Computer Systems (Unit 2)
• 3. Information Systems (Unit 3)
• 4. IT Systems Analysis and Design (Unit 7)
• 5. Communications Technologies (Unit 8)
• 6. Organizational Systems Security (Unit 15)
• 7. Principles of Software Design and Development (Unit 18)
• 8. Website Production and Management (Unit 21)
• Index