ThirdForce Partners
ThirdForce relies on partners of all sizes to deliver the efficiencies and rewards of motivational and engaging e-learning. This blended learning approach works across the full spectrum of schools, colleges, private training providers and corporate training teams. ThirdForce also enjoys a strong working relationship with partners in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and organisations operating internationally.
International
Microsoft Partners in Learning
The Partners in Learning programme has set out a demanding challenge to influence the way 1 million teachers address classroom teaching by 2010. ThirdForce, in collaboration with leading ICT educators (Imagine Education, Cisco, UNESCO) assisted in the development of the materials on school leadership, curriculum integration and coaching. ThirdForce then developed all e-learning content for the programme, as well as branding and marketing collateral for the 46 country managers across EMEA that will use the product.
UNESCO
ThirdForce has worked with UNESCO since 2002 in delivering ECDL Arabic testing to the Arab Region. Now in its third release the system is widely used across the region in Egypt, Jordan, Syria Libya and many more. All testing is online with additional security built in (i.e. tracking algorithms) and in 2007 more than 1,500,000 tests were undertaken. In 2008 ThirdForce was awarded a contract to deliver 500,000 online tests to the UNESCO programme.
The ECDL Foundation
ThirdForce works closely with the ECDL Foundation to ensure that our ECDL suite of products (courseware & testing) are delivered according to market demand and are best in class. ThirdForce also partner with the ECDL Foundation to deliver a full certification programme for the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in Egypt. This programme has the stated ambition of delivering certification to up to 1 million candidates over a 5 year period.
UK
University for Industry (Ufi) / Learndirect
Since 2000 the company has been working with Ufi / Learndirect to create, develop, build and customise ICT courses within the learndirect portfolio for delivery across the network of 2000 Learndirect centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Learndirect network is operated by Ufi and is part of a UK Government initiative to stimulate lifelong learning. The success of introductory and certification courses such as ECDL and CLAiT have ensured that the company is the main and largest supplier of e-learning products to this initiative. More recently, UfI commissioned an adult literacy and numeracy version of ThirdForce’s Skills for Life product.
Research Machines (RM)
ThirdForce and Research Machines partner to deliver ICT Accelerator Camp programmes that allow schools to accredit prior learning in ICT and achieve a Level 2 (Grade B equivalent) qualification. Through consultation, preparation, clear and focused learning materials and a four day intensive short course intervention, specialist tutors help to maximise success.
Maximum success is achieved by ensuring students are provided with access to ThirdForce’s award winning ECDL learning materials prior to the camp, are arranged in suitably sized groups, and that the selected students are of suitable ability. The Accelerator Camps can be arranged to take place at the school, or at an off-site location if schools prefer.
Ireland
FÁS
FÁS enhances the skills and competencies of individuals and enterprises in order for Ireland to further develop as a competitive, inclusive, knowledge-based economy. It strives to do this through the provision of tailored training and employment programmes that suit everyone's needs.
National College of Ireland (NCI)
KESP is an Irish Government sponsored initiative which was project managed by NCI. The objective is to upskill Irish employees in the knowledge economy. In 2006, ThirdForce was awarded the contract to build a blended course, completion of which leads to a HETAC Special Award. Combining both tutor-led and innovative e-learning, such as podcasts and webinars, the KESP programme consists of 60 hours of learning materials across a wide subject area including marketing, technology and finance.
Australia / New Zealand
EXIN South Pacific – Business Partner
Not-for-profit IT competency and skills examination provider EXIN South Pacific (Examination Institute for Information Science) has taken over from the Australian Computer Society as the exclusive national provider of the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL). ThirdForce has had a long standing and very successful relationship with the National Operator in Australia for many years and this will continue under the guidance of EXIN South Pacific.
The ICDL is a vendor-neutral competency standard for computer literacy in over 150 countries, and aims to teach people how to "drive" a computer with the same ease as a vehicle. EXIN South Pacific manages the certification processes, marketing and business development of ICDL in Australia.
Both organisations benefit from this partnership as ThirdForce develops and publishes ICDL courseware training and provides electronic testing for the official ICDL Tests. Hundreds of Schools, Community Centres, TAFEs and Businesses have benefited from the partnership with ThirdForce and the National ICDL Operator.
Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (New Zealand)
Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has been offering the ICDL since 2003. Right from the start they have used ThirdForce learning materials. Operating in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty area, the focus is on addressing the training needs of students and businesses in addition to supporting students with getting on the right path for employment, promotion or entry into higher education.
In a recent evaluation, 100% of respondents said that they would recommend the ThirdForce ICDL course and this style of learning to others. Students love the fact that they can test their level of skills and knowledge before they start, focus on the things they need to learn, work at their own pace and get help from within the software. Currently Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has more than 2000 ICDL students and has recently launched the e-Citizen digital literacy programme.