Expansion of IT Engineers

Examinations in Asia

A Way to Make Good Bases for Global HRD

S t b 2012
September,
Ogawa, Kenji
VP of IT Human Resource Development HQ

Information technology Promotion Agency,

Information-technology Agency Japan
http://www.ipa.go.jp/index-e.html
Introduction

Ogawa Kenji

Experience in IBM Japan for 30 years as IT Professional

Project Manager of Nagano Olympic IT System

SW Marketing Manager in IBM Asia Pacific

Worked in Florida, UK

Senior Manager of IT Professional Dev. In IBM Japan

IPA IT Human Resource Dev. HQ VP

All Rights Reserved, Copyright IPA2010 2

2
Where is Japan

Mongolia

China
Korea

Chinese Taipei
Myanmar
India (Taiwan)

Vi t
Vietnam Okinotori Islands
Thailand Philippines

Malaysia

Singapore

3
Outline of Japan
p

All Rights Reserved, Copyright IPA2010 4

4
 Information-technology
nformation technology Promotion Agency(IPA)

Establishment
1970-Originaly
January 5, 2004-Re-established

Independent Administrative Agency sponsored by Ministry

of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
Our Mission
Contributes to the growth and advancement of Japans
economy by providing the strategic technological and
human resource infrastructures

All Rights Reserved, CopyrightIPA2011

 Four Principle Fields
Supports efficient development of
Realizes a safe information society quality software
software. Aims for secure
infrastructure based on secured and reliable manufacturing.
and reliable information systems.
IT Security
S it S ft
Software Engineering
E i i
Center Center

IT Human Resource Open Software

Development HQ
Projects related to the improvement of
Skill levels of IT talent for the information
society.
Center
Conducts activities which are
the key to the wide use and
promotion of OSS in Japan,
development
p of OSS and
reliable information Service.

6
Mission of IT HR Development HQ

Implementation
of
IT Engineers
Examination
(ITEE)

Strengthen
St th
collaboration
with
ih
Industry- Operation of
Academia
Asian Skill Standards
Collaboration countries
ti for
IT Professionals
(ITSS)

All Rights Reserved, Copyright IPA 2011 7

IT Engineer
g Examination
in Japan
History of the Examination 1

How it began:

1. Concern from the industry fearing

shortage
g of skilled IT
engineers/professionals.

2. Voices from IT engineers/professionals

seeking recognition of their knowledge
and skills.

All Rights Reserved, Copyright IPA 2011 9

History of the Examination

First exams held Nov.

Nov 17,
17 1969: 2 Categories
42,022 took the exams
(
(original estimate = 5,000))
Current exams
570,000/Year apply for the examination.
The total number of applicants have exceeded 16.9
million, and around2.1 million have been certified till
spring 2012.
The certificate is issued in the name of the Minister
of Economy
Economy, Trade and Industry
10
Objectives of the Examination
To improve technical competence of individuals.
individuals
To indicate the levels of competence required for various
fields of IT engineers
engineers.
To act as guidelines in education and training.
To establish an objective criteria for evaluating skill and
competence of IT engineers.
To raise social status of qualified engineers.
A Yardstick to Objectively Evaluate IT Human Resources
Potential Self-upgrading in Seeking for Upper Categories
4Levels
12Examinations
All Rights Reserved, Copyright IPA 2011 11
Chart of the examination system
y
 Overview of
IT Examination
E i ti

13
 What is IT HR Development

ITSS

ITEE Level3
Technology Proof of Full
Grown
IT Engineers
AP
IT Passport FE Level2
ITP Gateway to
IT Professionals
IT Industry
I d t

Government Official
Passportt to
P t
Business
Society Private Company
Any Organizations
 Scope of Questions for the IT Passport Exam.
Field Major Category Middle Category
Strategy Corporate and Legal Affairs Corporate Activities
Legal Affairs
Business Strategy Management
B i
Business St t
Strategy T h l i l Strategy
Technological S M
Management
Business Industry
System Strategy System Strategy
System Planning
Management Development Technology System Development Technology
Software Development Management Techniques
Project
j Management
g j Management
Project g
Service Management Service Management
System Audit
Technology Basic Theory
Algorithm and Programming
Computer System Computer Component
System Component
Software
Hardware
Human Interface
Multimedia
Technical Element Database
Network
Security
Information Technology Passport Examination (IP) Level 1
Individuals who have basic knowledgeg of Information Technology gy
that all business workers should commonly possess, and who are
doing information technology related tasks, or trying to utilize
i f
information
ti technology
t h l in
i their
th i tasks.
t k
Fundamental IT Engineers Examination (FE) Level 2
Individuals who have fundamental knowledge and skills required to
be an advanced IT human resource, and who possess practical
utilization abilities.
Applied
pp IT Engineers
g Examination ((AP)) Level 3
Individuals who have applied knowledge and skills required to be an
advanced IT human resource, and who have established their own
direction as an advanced IT human resource.
Purpose of IT Passport Examinations

Passport to success in Business Society

The first step to the information society

Proof of not only IT skills but also basic knowledge as a
business person

Questions covers not only Technology but also

Management & Strategy
 Typical Examinees for FE & AP

Examination
Typical examinee
category
Fundamental Individuals who have basic fundamental knowledge
Information and skills required
q to be an advanced IT human
Technology resource, and who possess practical utilization abilities.
Engineers
Gateway to be IT Professionals/Level2
Examination
Individuals who have applied knowledge and skills
Applied
pp required to be an advanced IT human resource,
resource and
Information who have established their own direction as an
Technology advanced IT human resource.
E i
Engineers
Examination Proof of Full Grown IT engineers/Level3
 IT Passport Examination

Exam Duration 165 minutes

Multiple-choice (1 out of 4 choices)
(1) Short question type (1 exam question contains 1
ti )
question)
Exam Type (2) Medium question type (1 exam question contains 4
sub-questions). The questions examine knowledge and
understanding from several viewpoints with regard to a
single situational setting).
100 qquestions,, answers required
q for all q
questions
Number of (1) Short question type: 88 questions
Questions (2) Medium question type: 12 questions (3 exam
questions consisting of 4 sub-questions
sub questions each)
Questions are asked according to the following ratio :
Number of
(1) Strategy field: about 35%
Questions per
(2) Management field: about 25%
Field
(3) Technology field: about 40%
Points Allocation, Grading Method, Pass
C it i off IT P
Criteria Passportt Exam.
E

Point
o t Allocation
ocat o ,
1,000 total p
points
Grading Method According to raw points (points are allocated for each
question, and allocated points for correct answers are
t t l d)
totaled)
Pass criteria A pass is granted when both (1) and (2) below are
satisfied:
(1) Total points : more than 60% of maximum points
(2) Points in each field: more than 30% of the maximum
points in each of the 3 fields.
fields
 Time allocation and No. questions
Morning Afternoon
9:30~12:00 13:00~15:30
(150 mins) (150 mins)
Examination Category No. of
Qs
Q Exam No. of Q Qs
E
Exam Type
T
No. of Type No. of As
As
Fundamental
Multiple- 8
Information Technology 80 Multiple-
Choice 7
Engineer Examination 80 Choice
(1 from 4)
(FE)
Applied
pp Information Multiple-
p 7
80 Sh t
Short
Technology Engineer Choice 6
80 Answer
Examination (AP) (1 from 4)
 Introduce of new IT Passport Exam

LEVEL4

LEVEL3 Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination

LEVEL2 Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (FE)

LEVEL1 Information Technology Passport Examination (IP)

22
 Instructions:
1. Use a pencil. If you need to change an answer, erase your previous answer completely
Exam and neatly. Wipe away any eraser debris.

2. Mark your examinee information and your answers in accordance with the instructions
below. Your answer will not be graded if you do not mark properly. Do not mark
m Instrruction

nor write on the answer sheet outside of the prescribed places.

(1) Examinee Number
Write your examinee number in the space provided, and mark the appropriate space
below each digit.
( ) Date
(2) D t off Bi
Birth
th
Write your date of birth (in numbers) exactly as it is printed on your examination
admission card, and mark the appropriate space below each digit.
((3)) Answers
ns

Select one answer (a through d) for each question.

Mark your answers as shown in the following sample question.

[Sample
[S l Question]
Q ti ]
Q1. In which month is the autumn IT Passport Examination conducted?

a)) September
p b)) October c)) November d)) December

Since the correct answer is b) (October), mark your answer sheet as follows:

[Sample Answer]
Ans er]
Q1 A C D
 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 9 6 9 1 1 1 7
Sam
mple Sheet
FE PM Sample
e Sheet 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 961 0321
Technology
Q16. Which of the following is an appropriate description concerning
OSs used for PCs?

a)Since
) the interface between an OS and application
pp programs
p g is
standardized, the application programs can be developed without regard to
the type of OS.

b)An OS allocates the computer resources, such as the CPU, memory, and
auxiliary storage device, to application programs.

c)Since an OS has the function of automatically converting character sets in a

file, application programs can access the file without regard to the type of
character
h t set.
t

d)The source code of an OS should be disclosed so that application programs

can be free to use the various functions of the OS.
 Technology
16.
?
a)

.
b) CPU,

.
c)

.
d)




.
 Technology
Q31.
Q When an e-mail messageg titled Returned mail: Host unknown is
returned in response to an e-mail over the Internet, which of the following is
a probable cause of this message?

a) The recipients mail server remains stopped.

b) In the recipients
recipient s address
address, the domain name after the @ symbol is
incorrect.

c)) Th transmitted
The i d data
d is
i too large,
l so it
i exceeds
d the
h mail
il servers

storage capacity.

d) The encoder used for the attached file is incompatible with the
recipients decoder.
 Technology

31.
3

:


?
a)


b) @

c)

d)

Management
Q39. One of the criteria for judging quality during the test phase is
the relation between the number of test items completed and the
cumulative number of bugs detected. Which of the following graphs
indicates that the quality is going into a steady or stable state?
a) b)

c) d)
 Management
39.

.
?
a) b)

c) d)

 Management

Q46. At the request of a user department, the development department

launches a project of system development. Which of the following is the most
appropriate role of the project manager?

a) Presenting the requirements of the system to the user department

b) Monitoring the progress to take preventive measures against problems

c)) P
Preparing
i a proposall for
f the
th project
j t on behalf
b h lf off the
th user department
d t t

d) Raising funds to carry out the project on behalf of both departments

 Management
46.


?
a)


b)
c))



d)
Strategy
gy
Q58. Which of the following is the appropriate rule for
brainstorming
b i i that
h isi a method
h d off resolving
l i problems?
bl
a) Participants should select and present only high-quality ideas among
their own ideas.
b)) Participants
p should criticize another participants
p p ideas without
hesitation.
c)) Participants
P ti i t should
h ld avoid
id presenting
ti better
b tt ideas
id based
b d on another
th
participants.
d) Participants should listen to free-wheeling opinions, including unique
ideas.
Strategy

58.
58 brainstorm
brainstorm
?
a))


b)

c)

d)
 Strategy

Q71. A chain store with a distribution system is connected to the

manufacturer via a computer network, in order to use it to determine optimal
production volumes. Among the information collected by the chain store, which
of the following is an appropriate combination of information required for the
manufacturer?
a u ac u e ?

a) Inventory information and point-of-sale information

b) Shelf allocation information and inventory information

c) Shelf allocation information and inbound inventory information

d) Inbound inventory information and point-of-sale information

Strategy
71.

.

?
a)
b)
c)

d)

IT Human Resource Development
With ITSS

38
 IT Skill Standards
Skill Framework:
11 job careers and 35 job categories, broken down into 7 separate skill levels.

39
 What is ITSS Job Category in ITSS
(Compare it to professionals in other industries)

Sales Consultant IT Architect

Marketing Project Management

Analogies of
Job category
in ITSS

Education
IT Specialist

IT Service
Management Customer Application
Service Software Specialist 40
Development 40
 What is Level Definitions in ITSS
Level Definition
L l 7 World-class,
Level W ld l hi h d player
high-end l with
ith advanced
d d knowledge
k l d and
d skills
kill
Defined as human resources recognized throughout the world who have experience and
achievements in successfully leading development, reforms, and marketing of industry
leading services.
services (Top class in the world)
Level 6 Nation-level, high-end player with advanced knowledge and skills
Defined as human resources widely recognized inside and outside their organizations
who have p professional experience
p and achievements not only
y within their organizations
g
but also in the industry. (Top class in Domestic)
Level 5 In-house, high-end player with advanced knowledge and skills
Defined as professionals who have rich experience and achievements to lead their
organizations. (Top class in Company)
Level 4 Defined as professionals with advanced knowledge and skills who are able to
perform tasks and deliver work instructions based on experience and achievements as
well
ll as to
t formulate
f l t the
th experience
i required
i d for
f professionals
f i l as formal
f l knowledge
k l d tot
develop younger people. (Leader)
Level 3 Defined as human resources with practical knowledge and skills who are able to
perform all required tasks on their own.own (By oneself)
Level 2 Defined as human resources with basic knowledge and skills who are able to perform
tasks with a certain degree of difficulty or part of the required tasks on their own.
(
(Assist))
Level 1 Defined as human resources with the minimum knowledge and skills required for
people involved in information technology who are able to perform tasks under
guidance. (Follow)
Level Concept
Top class
Level 7 in the World

Level 6 Top class

i Domestic
in D i
Level 5 Top class
in a Company
Level 4 Leader
Level 3 By oneself

Level 2 Assist

Level 1 Follow (Chicken) 42

42
 Use ITEE as a level certification tool
ITEE
ITEE as effective
ff ti assessmentt ttools.
l UUsers
convenience
i and
d simplified
i lifi d assessment.t
Individuals are regarded as attaining the level 1,2 and 3, by passing ITEE in relevant
levels. Advanced examinations are available for skill proficiency assessment in level 4
Level 5 and above are assessed by ITSS
 Professional Development Cycle
Level 5
Exper
ience

Mentoring Utilizing Skill

Knowledg Firm
Level 4 e up
Project On-Site
Exper Knowledge
ience Acquisitio
Utilizing n
Mentoring Skill
Knowledg Firm
e Project On-Site
up Education
Level 3
Exper
Knowledge
ience
Acquisitio
Exam./ Utilizing Skill n
Interview Knowledg Firm
Level 2 e Project On-Site
up Education

Expe Knowledge
rienc Acquisitio
IT Utilizing e Skill n
Eng. Knowledg Firm
Exam. e up
Project On-Site Education
Knowledgeg
Acquisition
Real Project
Education Fields
IT Engineer
g Examination
ITPEC( NITP )
 Mutual Certification in Asia
October, 2000. Chiang Mai, Thailand,
ASEAN + Japan, China and Korea
Economic Ministers Meeting
Mr. Hiranuma, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry proposed:

Asian Common Skill Standard Initiative for IT Engineers

Use experience
p and know-how in IT examination fields.
- Establish examination system for IT engineers in Asia
Mutual certification based on skill standards

IT human resource development in Asian countries, promotion of

mobility
and more effective use of IT engineers in Asia
46
Why Mutual Certification?
To establish common standards for the skills of IT
engineers within the Asia.

To reduce costs and risk to companies expanding

business overseas when hiring local IT engineers.

To make it easier for companies in the area to establish

business alliances for software development
development.

To provide a common measure for IT engineers seeking

employment.

All Rights Reserved, Copyright IPA 2011 47

 IT Professionals
Examination Council
C
ITPEC: IT Professionals
Examination Council
ITPEC was formed to coordinate the exams using
the same questions, on the same time, same
date, starting April 2006

Current Members:
Philippines Thailand,
Philippines, Thailand Vietnam,
Vietnam Myanmar,
Myanmar
Malaysia and Mongolia.

No of Applicants of ITPEC Examination till 04/2012 : 29,275 48

ITPEC Examinations as New Category

E
Examination
i ti Category
C t
AP*
IP FE
Examination Agency (IT Passport) (Fundamental
(Applied
Information
Starts Information
T h l
Technology
April/2010 Technology)
Engineer)
The Philippine National
Philippine IT Standards Foundation
((PhilNITS)
S)
National Science &Technology
Thailand Development Agency Academy
(NSTDA Academy)
Vietnam Training and Examination
Vietnam Center
(VITEC)
Myanmar Computer Federation
Myanmar (MCF)
Multimedia
M lti di T Technology
h l
Malaysia Enhancement Operations
(METEOR)
National IT Park
Mongolia ((NITP))
 Mutual Certification other than ITPEC
Examination Examination Category
Agency
PM SA NW DB AP FE SC

India NIELIT*
Singapore
Computer
Singapore Society

(SCS)
Human
Resources
Korea Development
Service of Korea
(HRD Korea)
Education &
Examination
China Center of MIIT

(CEIAEC)
Institute for
Information
Industry(III) /
Taiwan Computer Skills

Foundation
(CSF)
*NIELIT : National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology 50
 Supports materials
Syllabuses
IT Passport Examination <IP> -- Level 1 -to organize and clarify the breadth and depth of
Fundamental Information Technologygy knowledgeg and skills required
q for each exam
Engineer Examination <FE> -- Level 2 applicants
Applied Information Technology Engineer - consists of goal, description and sample terms of
Examination <AP> -- Level 3 each knowledge item
Textbooks
T tb k
FE Textbook - textbook for each exam
AP Textbook*1 - explains the knowledge and skills for each exam
AE*2 Text book
NW*3 Textbook
T tb k
*4
DB Textbook

Others
IT Passport Exam Preparation Book
FE Exam Preparation Book
New FE Preparation Book
FE Exam Preparation Course
(e-Learning contents for FE Exam)
AP Exam Preparation Book
An Introduction to IT Strategy
- exam preparation book including exercises and
commentaries
- includes more strategy questions
Will be available soon
-introduces the knowledge of IT strategy questions

*1 R
Renamed d from
f SW Textbook
T tb k
*2 AE is the abbreviation of Application Systems Engineers Examination.
*3 NW is the abbreviation of Network Systems Engineer Examination.
*4 DB is the abbreviation of Database Systems Engineer Examination. 51
All Rights Reserved, Copyright IPA 2011
Go toward Asian and International Standard

Mongolia (Aug
(Aug. 2007)
NITP)
Korea (Dec. 2001)
China (Jan. 2002) HRD Korea
CEIAEC

India (Feb. 2001) Chinese Taipei (Dec. 2003)

NIELIT) MyanmarNov. 2002 III/CSF
(MCF)
VietnamJul.
Vi t J l 2002
Thailand Jun. 2002) (VITEC) Philippines Apr. 2002
NSTDA Academy) PhilNITS)

Malaysia (Jan 2005)

(METEOR)

New Candidate SingaporeAug 2001

SCS

52
 Skill Standard in the world

There are some Standards in each region

g

e-Competence Asia
F
Framework
k
ITEE/ITSS
Skill Standards for
(Japan) Information Technology
SFIA AITTS Cigref NWCET(US)
(UK) (Germany) (France)
ITEE
(ITPEC)
Europe USA
VRS ITSS
(Vietnam) (Philippine)

53
All Rights Reserved, CopyrightIPA2012 53
 IT in the current/near future
Global Level National Level
National
Defense
Internet Earth System
y Fixed-Line
Communication
C i ti Observatory Ph
Phone NW
Satellite Satellite Traffic
Air Traffic Control System Control
Climate system Mobile Phone
Broadcasting Vessel Management System Satellite Railway NW
Satellite Control
p
Intranet Computer NW TV-Radio
GPS, Ph i l
Physical B d ti NW
Broadcasting
Navigation Global Financial System Distribution
Satellite Management Postal Mail
Weather System
International Tel & Telecom
Geodetic Forecast Electricity, Gas,
NW Satellite System Water Service System
y
Military
Satellite Earthquake Prediction
System

Town ATM Intelligent Transportation Car/

Automatic Selling Machine System Embedded
Car
C Meter/Warning
Wireless LAN Navigation System Engine Ignition
Crime-Prevention System Control System
Fire Alarm System Air
ABS
Conditioner
Railway Road Traffic Personal Life
Train Traffic
Control Signal Mobile Phone Watch
System Traffic Jam Portable Music Rechargeable IC
Information System Player
y Card
Reservation System
Cab Service System Potable Game IC Credit Card
Automatic Ticket IC Cash Card
Machine
Gate Digital Camera
Note PC
Destination Sign Mobile Phone
54 PDA
Board All Rights Reserved, Copyright IPA
 Th k you
Thank

ITPEC (IT Professionals Examination Council)

http://www.itpec.org/

ITEE in
i Asia
A i
http://www.ipa.go.jp/english/humandev/mutualrecognition.html