#1466 Removal of SFIA Level 1 change request pending
An open question - not a definitive change request. It's becoming increasingly rare to find organsiations that need SFIA level 1 skills, or people who genuinely work at SFIA level 1 **in a professional context**. Whilst SFIA is focussed on the skills of **digital professionals** - do we need to keep it?
"SFIA defines the skills and competencies required by professionals who design, develop, implement, manage and protect the data and technology that power the digital world."
If someone is only working at SFIA Level 1 - can we call them a "professional"? A definition of "professional" could be debated of course, and room needs to be left for developing professionals - evidenced by many countries and large organisations investing in the "pipeline" of digital professionals.
However as a challenge, working with "little discretion in attending to enquiries", performing "routine activities in a structured environment", and having "basic digital skills to learn and use applications and tools for their role" may not meet many people's view of a professional, or developing professional.
If we removed SFIA Level 1 from SFIA only 9 skills of 121 would be impacted:
Development & Implementation:
- TEST, INCA, ICPM
Relationships & Engagement
- CSMG, ADMN, SSUP
Delivery & Operation
- ITOP, HSIN, SCAD
There has long been discussion of whether SFIA should extend "downward" to digital competency (for non-professionals). Removing Level 1 might provide some stimulus and leave space to better define expectations of digital literacy at levels below Level 2 - Assist.
Current status of this request: pending