Pimlico Academy, through the sheer hardwork and commitment, has come a very long way in a relatively short period of time. We have still a long way to go, but every day that passes we take another step forward.

Pimlico Academy is in the process of becoming an OCR centre and OCR CLAiT will soon be available to our students.

CLAiT is a package of three computer qualifications which provides a one-stop shop for learners looking to develop, improve or advance their computer skills.

New CLAiT, CLAiT Plus and CLAiT Advanced can be tailored to individual needs, progressing skills and helping learners to meet the demands of the modern home and office.

Suitable for all abilities from complete beginners to confident IT users, CLAiT features clear progression routes and plenty of choice.

New CLAiT (OCR Level 1 Certificate/Diploma for IT Users) is a qualification designed to recognise the skills, knowledge and understanding of IT users everywhere, whether in employment, education or training.

New CLAiT is suitable for beginners looking to boost their IT confidence. You can choose to achieve single units, a certificate or diploma and will receive a certificate for whichever option you achieve. For a certificate you must achieve three units and for a diploma you must achieve five; both options must include the mandatory unit. You have the choice of achieving as many or as few units as are appropriate for your own learning needs or employment situation.

New CLAiT is part of a suite of qualifications in IT user skills offered by OCR . We also offer accreditation in IT user skills at Level 2 (CLAiT Plus) and Level 3 (CLAiT Advanced). By offering clear unit progression between levels, you can see a clear route to success.

New CLAiT also provides a basis for progression to the NVQs which form part of the iTQ suite (NVQ Levels 1, 2 and 3 for IT Users) so you can choose the route most appropriate for your training needs.

CLAiT Plus (OCR Level 2 Certificate/Diploma for IT Users) is a qualification designed for those with some experience wishing to increase their IT productivity. It allows you to increase your efficiency and improve your computer capabilities.

This qualification has been developed in consultation with partners in the IT industry, with assistance from further education and schools. As an added extra, it also features the option of using, OCR 's unique form of electronic testing for units 1 to 3.

As with all levels of CLAiT, you have the choice between single units, a certificate (core plus two optional units) or a diploma (core plus four optional units).

The core unit has been designed to encompass the essential core knowledge and competencies that are needed in the workplace to complete both routine and non-routine tasks. The optional units allow you to develop skills in a range of different IT applications.

CLAiT Advanced (OCR Level 3 Certificate/Diploma for IT Users) is for confident IT users looking to advance their IT skills. CLAiT Advanced is a qualification designed to recognise the skills, knowledge and understanding of those who use advanced IT skills. The qualification recognises complex and specialist skills in the use of IT in vocational contexts.

CLAiT Advanced provides a clear progression route from New CLAiT and CLAiT Plus at both unit level and whole qualification level. The qualification maps, where appropriate, to 100% of the National Occupational Standards. This takes account of recent software developments and provides greater flexibility, ease-of-use and relevance.

CLAiT Advanced has been designed to accredit a broad range of advanced IT skills, ensuring that, regardless of the optional units chosen, the learner will be prepared for the needs of the IT-based workplace in a comprehensive manner.

This qualification provides a basis for sideways progression to the OCR Level 3 NVQ for IT Users (part of the iTQ suite). You may extend your specialist IT application skills by undertaking further specialist units from the suite of units available at Level 3. You may also choose to further develop your technical skills and to progress to the NVQ Levels 1 to 4 and VRQs Levels 1 to 4 for IT Practitioners/Professionals.

Starting from the summer of 2007 we are planning to run the Association of Business Executives (ABE) Business Administration Certificate, Diploma Part 1 and Part 2, and Advanced Diploma programmes at Pimlico Academy.

ABE qualifications offer students options. The option of going to the next ABE level, or university study in your own country or abroad, or a better job, or an MBA, or all of these.

After each ABE level there are two pathways. You can succeed in the workplace or progress to university. The choice is yours. After the Certificate you have two choices. You can go on to our Diploma level, or enter the workplace with a recognised qualification. Certificate holders have the skills and knowledge needed for administrative roles. After the Diploma you have three choices. You can go on to our Advanced Diploma; you can enter university (often with unit exemptions, which could save you thousands of pounds) or enter the workplace with a recognised qualification. Diploma holders have the skills and knowledge needed for executive roles. After the Advanced Diploma you have two choices. Firstly, you can enter the workplace with a highly valued qualification. Each year, we have hundreds of letters of support from employers who are keen to develop their staff through professional qualifications. From the smallest enterprise to multinational organisations as diverse as Toyota and Unicef, ABE students and qualification holders are valued by employers. Advanced Diploma holders have the skills and knowledge required for managerial roles.

The Business Administration programme provides a professional qualification that may be used to prepare directly for a career in business, or to gain advanced entry onto a range of professional qualifications and university degrees in the UK and other countries. The programme provides students with an appreciation of the theoretical issues currently involved in the study of business and a range of practical skills which will enhance their value to potential employers. Major themes running throughout the programme include Management, Finance and Accounting, Marketing and IT.

Pimlico Academy is also in the process of gaining accreditation from IMIS (Institute for the Management of Information Systems). IMIS is an accrediting body who run their own Examination Syllabus leading towards the IMIS qualification, which is recognised and respected in the field of information systems management around the world. There are currently 12,000 students and accredited members in over 50 countries.

This leads to IMIS Practitioner Grade. It was introduced to provide a route for candidates to gain entry to our Diploma Course examination. This course is also suitable for young people who want to work with computers and need some entry level education. All modules defined within the course structure may be taken individually or collectively to form a Foundation Diploma. Each module is designed to introduce the student to the basic elements of information systems practices.

This leads to IMIS Licentiate Grade. It continues on from the Foundation Diploma level although access at this level is also available to candidates who comply with the entrance requirements. Completion of these examinations awards a Diploma Certificate and the general standard equates to the National (ONC) Certificate. Candidates having completed the Diploma Course are working at the equivalent level of early entry analysts.

This leads to IMIS Associate Grade. It extends and complements the Diploma Course to give students a comprehensive knowledge of the entire field of operations, programming, systems analysis and design, and computer management. A Higher Diploma award equates to the Higher National Certificate/Diploma (HNC/HND) and prepares candidates for work at the equivalent level of analyst/team leader.

We hope to have the IMIS programmes in place by the autumn of 2007.

Both ABE and IMIS offer tremendous opportunities, and we are convinced that expansion beyond our traditional area of expertise (ESOL) is not only necessary, if we are to prosper in an increasingly competitive market place, but also desirous, if we are to offer our students the best possible opportunity to fully realise their potentials.