About the BCS-ICC

Are you a career contractor? - then read on

The BCS-ICC is an organisation representing the professional interests of computer contractors. We have a number of working parties looking at topics of concern to contractors, such as retraining, Professional Development, ethical standards and the relationship with the statutory bodies including the DSS and the Inland Revenue.

The BCS is accepted as the representative body for Information Systems Practice within the industry. The BCS-ICC aims to be the recognised professional group for I.S. contractors, both within the BCS and in the industry in general. There are now many individuals who have made conscious decisions to pursue careers as computer contractors, and who need a professional group to represent them. Many contractors are in the BCS, but this is not a requirement for membership of the BCS-ICC.

What are we doing?

The BCS-ICC operates through a number of working parties, each addressing a topic of current concern to the profession and reporting to the management committee. These working parties are formed in response to perceived needs, usually prompted by concerns expressed at general meetings of the Group. Reports from the working parties are circulated through our web site.

Our most important current concern is the Professional Experience Record (PER). This is a mechanism to provide a validated career history building on the BCS Industry Structure Model. It is analogous to Professional Development Scheme already in place for permanent employees and complements the Continuing Professional Development scheme. PER, which will be web based, is expected to be fully available by the end of 2001.

Other concerns include marketing updated skills, maintaining contact with and lobbying the tax and regulatory authorities and combating ageism. We also provide a forum for the exchange of experience of different business and pension arrangements. Join us and ride your own hobby-horse!

Meetings

Each year the Group holds its Annual General Meeting during an informal weekend at a family venue. The Group also holds more formal working-party weekends to focus on specific topics. All meetings are held at weekends to avoid disrupting a contractor's working patterns. Several BCS Branches also welcome BCS-ICC members to their evening meetings and there is usually a chance for our members to meet together afterwards. We also encourage local BCS-ICC meetings, which are announced on the web site.

Why join now?

The group's membership is growing steadily, but the more members we have, the greater our influence. We need your input and your support to bring about the changes that our profession needs. You don't have to serve on a working party but if you have any immediate concerns, put them on your membership application form. Join the group, and be part of the decisions and actions which affect the future of YOUR profession.