AELP showcases a new training programme on Cloud Computing for the public sector at the House of Commons

Its purpose is to showcase NEBULA, a new vocational education and training programme to exploit the advantages and cost efficiencies of cloud computing in the public sector.

The programme, which has been developed by a strategic partnership of organisations including AELP from seven European countries, has been designed to support public sector employees who are responsible for managing the migration from traditional IT systems on to cloud services. The project is funded under the EU’s Lifelong Learning Programme (Leonardo Da Vinci Multilateral Projects for Development of Innovation).

At the beginning of the project, extensive research was undertaken to define the skill needs of the workforce responsible for migration to the cloud and to investigate the gaps in the training provision available to meet those needs. The training programme seeks to fill the gaps identified so as well as developing technical skills the new programme focuses on enhancing skills in business change management, communication, analysis and negotiation. The 60 hour programme, which will be freely available, includes slide presentations, case studies, exercises and a simulation game.

The project also aims to establish a pool of trainers to deliver the programme. The trainers are likely to be drawn from local authorities or other public sector bodies. They may also work for IT training companies who deliver training services for the public sector or possibly be freelance trainers working or seeking work in the public sector.

Stella Turner, AELP’s Head of Qualifications and Delivery, who is project managing AELP’s work on the project, said,

“The NEBULA programme will be an invaluable tool for those wishing to develop the Cloud Computing skills of staff within local authorities and other public sector organisations. We hope that it will be used by both training staff working within local authorities and by our members and other training organisations who provide training services to the public sector.”
AELP growing its international remit

Delegates will hear from AELP’s Director of Employment and Skills, Paul Warner, who will talk about how the EU project fits in with AELP’s international strategy and from a representative from the Computing and Mathematics Department at the University of Derby and a network infrastructure technologies specialist from JISC.

Paul Warner said,
“It has been a really interesting and fruitful challenge working with colleagues from across Europe. We are hoping that the experience will better enable us to advise AELP members who are considering joining EU projects or working overseas.”