Graduate Diploma in Information Technology - GDIT
Axcel's flagship course is the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology (GDIT), a degree-level qualification which gives students the qualifications and practical experience they need to launch them into a successful career. The GDIT was conceived by Chris Mitchell while he was working at the New Zealand Trade Development Board to help New Zealand software and other technology companies gain access to international markets. It addresses what remains a major issue for companies, the shortage of skilled, experienced IT workers.
In addition to not knowing how well new graduates would adapt to a real commercial environment, employers faced the risk that once they had invested time and money in training graduates, the graduates would depart for a more highly paid position. Recent technology graduates on their part were finding that even after three or four years of study they were still unable to get an IT job, despite hearing reports of shortages. It was a classic Catch 22: how can I get a job without experience, and how can I get experience without a job?
The real point of difference between the GDIT and other IT qualifications is that in the third semester students work on a real project with a local Axcel industry partner firm. This allows employers to “try before they buy” in that they can see how the student performs and how well they fit into the company culture. On the student's part, they get on-the-job practical experience and are given an opportunity to make themselves indispensable!
Technology skills are only one factor in the employee equation. The GDIT also equips graduates with an ability to adapt and continuously learn, plus the social and communication skills and that are indispensable to being a successful employee. The GDIT model is based on the well developed ‘work integrated learning’ or cooperative education model, and is the first structure that has been set up specifically in that format to offer a Graduate Diploma in IT.
The GDIT was initially delivered at the Information Technology Institute, a company set up specifically for that purpose. Classes were held in three campuses located in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and for a short period in Taupo. With huge support from key industry leaders and approval and support from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, the course proved extremely successful, with graduates winning placements with some of New Zealand’s leading IT firms. The impact of political changes on private education providers meant that ITI had to close its doors two years after starting. The rights to the GDIT were sold to Axcel Institute, and at the same time the delivery model for the GDIT was changed to one in which established tertiary institutions license the course for delivery as part of their academic programme. Now into its third stage, this NZQA Level 7 graduate diploma is delivered by the Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS St. Helens – http://www.ais.ac.nz) under a licence agreement with Axcel Institute.
Axcel is committed to ensuring GDIT remains at the leading edge of IT learning and is relevant to the fast changing needs of the business world. Major growth and revision of the GDIT in 2008 will result in the use of an e-learning portal (http://elearning.axcelinstitute.com) which will effectively integrate learning of all subjects into a powerful tool for students.
