First MOS 2013 Certified Students in the UK
UTC Reading is an exciting new University Technical College which opened in September 2013. It has been created through a special partnership between industry and education. This partnership has adopted a new approach to curriculum that is grounded in traditional values and provides a great foundation for the future of its students.
In only the sixth week since first opening, 10 students from the UTC Reading became the first students in the UK to become Microsoft Office Specialists (MOS) in Microsoft Office 2013 (see news story on UTC Reading’s website). The students have all become MOS certified in Microsoft Word, with three students also passing the Microsoft Excel exam. This is a great achievement for all concerned, especially in such a short space of time.
The UTC Reading’s students also have the opportunity to follow areas of interest in either computing and/or engineering whilst studying for traditional qualifications. This unique proposition also allows for students to learn invaluable practical skills by achieving industry recognised professional certifications from Adobe, Autodesk and Microsoft through Prodigy Learning.
Prodigy Learning has worked very closely with the UTC Reading in helping them to design an innovative new IT and Engineering curriculum for their students. This new curriculum includes Adobe Certified Associate (ACA), Autodesk Certified User (ACU), Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certifications.
Joanne Harper (Principal, UTC Reading) said: “We support and encourage our students to sit these professional qualifications as they are an important part of what sets a UTC graduate apart from the crowd. By partnering academic qualifications with industry recognised qualifications, we are equipping students for employment in the modern IT and engineering workplace.”
As part of their own professional development, staff at the UTC are also being trained in MOS and taking the exams. The UTC Reading feels it is important for staff to keep up-to-date with the latest technologies so they are able to teach them in the classroom.
Wayne Edwards (Vice Principal, UTC Reading) commented: “We have been working very closely with Prodigy Learning over the past year, in order to be able to introduce curriculum and qualifications that are designed by industry. This is essential for proving our students are competent and up-to-date in the fast moving hi-tech world. Prodigy Learning’s industry expertise has helped us to offer our students certifications from Microsoft, Autodesk and Adobe.”
