[MyData & Open Data] UK Data Protection Training Opportunity

[Javier Ruiz]

Dear all

We have some amazing news. Chris Pounder from Amberhawk, a member of our advisory board, has volunteered to deliver at cost their first level course on Data Protection to people from civil society organisations. This includes the examination to obtain a formal Foundation Certificate qualification from the British Computer Society.

This is a unique chance to build capacity within our organisations. Working on privacy and surveillance we can deal fairly well with high level policies, but sometimes we need a better handling of the basics of the legislation and to understand how it is meant to be implemented by organisations in their daily practices.

For example, at ORG we have used data access requests on many occasions. We have also challenged the process for the acceptance of terms and conditions by companies. This course would enhance our organisations' capacity to carry out such activities. In addition it could also help your own compliance with legislation, particularly if you have large supporter databases.

The course would run for 3 days, 2-3-4 June 2015 from 9:45 to 17:15 in London, and it includes the official exam in the last day. The normal price of the course is £1090 + VAT. We would have to pay just enough to cover the costs, which at present are £145 for the exam fee (definitely would not recommend missing on the exam!), £35 for printed materials and room booking, which we will get fairly cheap in our premises. We expect it will not cost more that £250 per person. We will confirm the final costs once we have confirmation of numbers. ORG would co-ordinate the logistics and channel the invoicing.

If some organisations can spare more money it would be nice to be able to cross-subsidy those who cannot afford the basic costs. But we cannot plan this in advance.

The course is demanding and requires personal commitment from participants, as well as support from their organisation to free their diaries. If this first course is successful, Chris would be delivering the second level, leading to the full Data Protection Practitioner, at a later date.

This is an amazing opportunity. The catch is that in order to get the ball rolling we need to confirm enough people can make the June dates. I understand it is fairly short notice, but this is the only gap Chris has in his diary until December.

I really hope you will be interested and we will have the numbers to make this happen. Please let me know if you need more information before you can make a decision. You can call me on 07877911412. There is fair chance that we will have a very positive response and run out of places quickly!

Please let me know who else you think would benefit from the course.

If we have more people than available places the criteria for selection will be whether or not your organisation’s budget could afford the full price and how you plan to use the training, with priority for those using it for campaigning or committed to improve the management of their supporters’ data.

Best, Javier

Course website, including full syllabus http://www.amberhawk.com/DPFoundation.asp
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