EXIN (Examination Institute for Information Science) and TÜV SÜD Akademie are jointly developing a new, multi-level IT certification program for ISO/IEC 20000, designed for a wide variety of IT staff. There is an increasing demand for IT staff with ISO/IEC 20000 certification, the international quality standard established specifically for IT Service Management. Accreditation of training providers is part of the new program and ensures high quality training for the new exams. The first exam, ISO/IEC 20000 Foundation, will be available in January 2008.
What is ISO/IEC 20000? ISO/IEC 20000 was introduced in late 2005 as the new international, independent Quality Standard for IT Service Management. This quality standard specifies the practical procedures an organization should follow to improve the quality of its IT Service Management processes. A growing number of organizations are looking to become ISO/IEC 20000 certified. Certification demonstrates that their IT service meets international quality standards and that they manage risks inherent in IT Service Management in a safe and responsible manner. Clients invariably demand quality, and the IT services industry is no exception. Demand has increased significantly in the US, Australia, Japan and Europe, with organizations eager to hire certified IT staff with a sound knowledge of ISO/IEC 20000.
The new qualification and certification programThe name of the new program is IT Service Management according to ISO/IEC 20000. The new certification program is perfectly suited for IT staff already experienced in other successful standards and best practices, such as ITIL®, MOF, COBIT, ISO 9000, CMMI and ASL. In addition to starting the program on the foundation level, it offers IT staff who already hold relevant certificates the option of entering the program at an advanced level. TÜV SÜD Akademie and EXIN have developed the new certification program according to the rules for international certification of persons (EN ISO/IEC 17024). Accreditation by an Accreditation Body is expected within the year 2008.
Target groupThe certification program comprises 4 levels: Foundation Level, Professional Level, IT Management Track and an Auditing Track, making it suitable for a wide range of IT staff, (operational staff, team leaders, supervisors, managers, consultants, auditors and assessors), including those who want to:
For more detailed information, please see the enclosed certification schedule and explanation.
PlanningThe first exam (in English and German), leading towards the Foundation Certificate according to ISO/IEC 20000, will be tested and evaluated in mid-November as part of a pilot project aimed at training providers. In early January 2008, the exam will then be made available to all exam candidates. Other exams are set to follow, while translations will be available in languages including Spanish and Japanese.
BenefitsThe new certification program IT Service Management according to ISO/IEC 20000 offers several benefits:
EXIN and TÜV SÜD AkademieEXIN and TÜV SÜD Akademie have set up a committee specifically for the development of the new ISO/IEC 20000 qualification and certification program that includes all interested parties such as members of ISO/IEC JTC1 (ISO/IEC 20000 + 27000), experts of international IT companies, training institutes, IT Examination Institutes and IT chairs of universities/supercomputing centers. EXIN and TÜV SÜD Akademie have been working together for over 5 years, offering IT Service Management exams. EXIN CEO Joep van Nieuwstadt: "Since both companies focus on the same goal: improving the quality of the IT Service Management field, the next logical step is to expand our partnership by developing an all-new ISO/IEC 20000 certification program. The new program strongly reflects the needs of the professional market."TÜV SÜD Akademie CEO Kai Probst: "Being well known in personnel certification of management systems, occupational safety and environmental systems, medical device systems as well as in the IT Service Management we had to go on a step further and set up together with the interested parties and EXIN a role- and function-specific certification programme according to ISO/IEC 20000."
About EXINEXIN (Examination Institute for Information Science) is an independent, worldwide IT examination provider with more than 40 years of experience. EXIN is specialized in establishing educational requirements and developing examinations for all major areas in IT. It is EXIN’s mission to improve the quality of the IT sector, the IT professionals and the IT users, by means of independent testing and certification. EXIN achieves this goal by supporting the worldwide dissemination of certification standards and best practices in IT. EXIN is well known worldwide for its certificates in IT Service Management. Currently, the EXIN exams in IT Service Management Foundation are available in 15 languages. With computerized and web-based examinations for standards such as ITIL®, ISO/IEC 20000/SQM, MOF, ASL, BiSL and TMap®, EXIN plays an important role in the development of international qualification programs.
About TÜV SÜD AkademieThe TÜV SÜD Group founded in 1866 in Mannheim, Germany is well known for consulting, testing, certification and training on behalf of industry, trade and commerce, public institutions and private individuals. TÜV SÜD creates increased safety and added economic value by supporting the competitive strength of our customers through the world. (TÜV SÜD Mission: Choose certainty. Add value.) In 500 locations about 10,000 employees establish national and international annual sales of € 1.000 million. The headquarter is located in Munich, Germany.
In the Strategic Business Segment - PEOPLE services addressing integrated management systems, employee qualification, occupational health and safety are established. Personnel Certification is the subject of the Certification Body for Persons at TÜV SÜD Akademie GmbH.Our main topics are:
An extraordinary market position / relation was set up in the field of IT Service Management based on ITIL® during the last five years. In the German speaking countries (Germany, Switzerland and Austria) more than 300 training institutes use this service of TÜV SÜD Akademie as an independent body. In the IT Service management field EXIN and TÜV SÜD Akademie has been strong partners for years.download full Press Release (pdf) (incl. enclosures)_____________________________________________________________Press information:
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