Computing and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, have announced the finalists for the UK IT Industry Awards 2011. 

The success of KnowledgePoint in winning through to the Finals of the BCS and Computing UK IT Industry Awards, in the category Small Business Project of the Year, is an outstanding achievement and evidences the success of a unique business initiative that KnowledgePoint have taken in the IT education and training software sector.

In July 2010 KnowledgePoint was appointed distributor for the Autodesk Professional Certification EMEA Program. Autodesk is a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software.

Authorized Training Centers are critical partners in delivering the Autodesk learning programmes.  KnowledgePoint develop the program and proactively support the learning and training capabilities in exam and certification management, integrated learning, courseware and certification programmes.

This has been an imaginative and visionary direction for KnowledgePoint to take; providing an outsourced managed solution to support Autodesk's Training and Certification Partners across EMEA and has driven a new business model both for KnowledgePoint and Autodesk. The model was conceived and implemented within 10 weeks and has delivered to the business requirement set by Autodesk for the first year.

This is a unique business initiative in the IT education and training software sector; there is no other similar business model and as such represents a groundbreaking development for the sector throughout EMEA.

David Clarke, Chief Executive Officer of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, says: "Congratulations to the finalists; the competition to reach this stage of our prestigious Awards is tough.  Our Awards are central to our mission to recognise the innovation and professionalism of those working in IT and I'm delighted that we have such a variety of high quality entries. They are an excellent reflection of the impact IT has on so many aspects of our information society and the potential IT has to transform business, society and our lives." 

Abigail Waraker, Editor of Computing, comments: "I would like to congratulate the finalists. The UK IT Industry Awards are rigorously judged and to be announced as a finalist is a great achievement."

Says Paul Gibbons, co-founder and Director of KnowledgePoint: "We are delighted to have come through the qualifying stages to achieve being a Finalist for this prestigious award.  It's always rewarding to be recognised as a contender in business excellence by such a highly regarded Institute and against such outstanding competition from all sectors of industry."