Its formation unifies one of the Island’s key industries and establishes a chartered body for IT professionals.
For the first time, Jersey’s varied IT industry can speak with one voice as well as have a forum to discuss issues and share ideas.
he chairman of the Jersey branch is Brett Sumner, HSBC’s head of technical services.
‘As the only chartered professional institution for our industry, the BCS plays a leading role in tackling the many legal, technological, commercial and ethical issues that relate to information systems,’ he said.
We shall be trying to give the industry a human face and address issues that are important to everyone, not just the “”techies””.
The society’s launch in Jersey provides a fine example of its holistic approach.
At the inaugural meeting on Tuesday, the chairman of Jersey’s parent group, Professor Margaret Ross of the Hampshire branch, led a discussion on how websites can be made more accessible to the visually impaired.
And at a meeting last night an open forum discussed how children can be protected from inappropriate material on the internet.
The BCS has strong ethical standards and our members follow a strict code of conduct,’ said Mr Sumner.
‘Our aim is to increase the level of professionalism in our industry while stimulating debate on key issues.
Every industry needs a strong voice that is free from commercial interest to represent it, and the BCS has the standing to perform that role.
Like most chartered bodies, a key component of the BCS’s activities is providing professional qualifications.
t one end of the scale, the society runs the European Computer Driving Licence scheme to give people the basic skills.
At the other, it offers numerous academic and technical qualifications for the highest echelons of the industry.
And in between there are many rungs on the ladder, from student membership all the way up to Fellow.
he Jersey branch of the BCS will now meet regularly to discuss ideas, both technical and non-technical, to share information and to devise ways of advancing the IT profession.
he next key event for the society will be hosted by Jersey Telecom on Thursday 4 September at JT’s Gren-ville Street offices at 5.
0 pm.
All BCS meetings are free and are open to members and non-members alike.
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