SQS Warns Software Testing Professionals - don’t miss out on ISEB Certification Deadline

London, 9 July 2010 – SQS is advising testing professionals, currently working through ISEB’s Software Testing Practitioner accreditation, to sign up to final courses before the scheme ends in early 2011. The recommendation follows the announcement that the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, has signed an agreement with the UK Testing Board (UKTB), resulting in ISTQB Advanced becoming their preferred software testing accreditation from March 2011.

Steve Dennis, SQS UK Training Director explains: “Many people still seem to be unclear about the impact of the BCS/UKTB contract and the options open to them now that the ISEB Practitioner qualification is being withdrawn.  There are currently thousands of people participating in the scheme who need to understand the implications so that they can make a decision on the best way to move forward.”

For those who have started down the ISEB scheme, by passing Foundation and Intermediate qualifications, a move across to the ISTQB Advanced scheme would require 5 days of training, instead of the 3 day ISEB Practitioner training. This is longer and will be more expensive than completing the ISEB Path.

“By completing their Practitioner qualification before March 2011, professionals will save time and money,” rationalises Dennis.  “The ISEB scheme will still remain internationally recognised, the certification does not expire and it’s our understanding they will not be precluded from continuing down the ISTQB scheme at Expert level when this becomes available. So there is still great value in completing the ISEB scheme.”

 Steve adds, “We have had a single scheme at Foundation level for several years which has been jointly branded by ISEB and ISTQB. SQS welcomes the consolidation on to the ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced scheme as it will provide a single international qualification, recognised in 47 countries, and a more clearly defined career path for the industry for the longer term.”

 SQS suggests the main options open to software testing professionals are currently:

 For professionals with the ISEB/ISTQB Foundation qualification:

·  Take ISEB Intermediate and ISEB Practitioner by March 2011, or

·  Move straight to ISTQB Advanced Scheme and choose from 3 paths: Test Manager, Test Analyst or Technical Test Analyst

 For professionals with the ISEB Foundation and Intermediate qualifications:

·  Take ISEB Practitioner Scheme before March 2011 to save time and money; about £1000 compared with £1500 and 3-day versus a 5- day course

 For professionals with one ISEB Practitioner (Test Manager or Test Analyst) Qualification:

·  Aim for another Practitioner Qualification if you can complete before March 2011

 -ENDS-

About SQS Software Quality Systems

SQS is the largest independent provider of software quality management, quality assurance and testing services in Europe. Founded in Cologne in 1982, SQS employs 1,640 staff. Along with a strong presence in Germany and the UK, SQS has further subsidiaries in Egypt, Finland, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa and the US. In addition, SQS maintains a minority stake in a company in Portugal and a cooperative venture in Spain. In 2009, SQS generated sales of 134.3 million Euros.

 SQS is the first German company to have a primary listing on the AIM (Alternative Investment Market) in London. In addition, SQS has a dual listing on the open market of the German Stock Exchange in Frankfurt am Main.

 With over 5,000 successfully completed projects under its belt, SQS has a strong client base, including half of the DAX 30, nearly a third of the STOXX 50 and 36 of the FTSE 100 companies. These include, among others, Allianz, Beazley, BP, Centrica, Commerzbank, Daimler, Deutsche Post, Generali, JP Morgan, Meteor, Reuters and Volkswagen as well as companies from every other conceivable sector.

 For more information, see: www.sqs-uk.com and www.sqs-group.com

Further information:                                        

SQS Group Limited

Simona Franciosi
Marketing Manager
7-11 Moorgate
London, EC2R 6AF
Tel. 020 3326 5336
Fax 020 7448 4651                                           
Email: simona.franciosi@sqs.uk.com     
Internet: www.sqs-uk.com

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