The President, Nigerian Software Testing Qualifications Board (NGSTQB), Boye Dare in an interview on Thursday explained how software professionals can increase their marketability in the industry.
According to him, “the Nigerian Software Testing Qualifications Board (NGSTQB) is a member board of International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB), the world’s leading organization for certification of professionals in software testing. We are also the local chapter for The TMMi Foundation, the architect and owner of the Test Maturity Model integration (TMMi), a detailed and structured model for test process improvement and the world standard for the same. NGSTQB) was admitted to the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) on May 20 2020 and was officially registered as a Board in Nigeria in August, 2021. “
The mission of the board however, is to generate public awareness of the economic and risk management’s benefits that professional software testing practices offer, enable their customers to develop their careers in line with the trending industry demands, and facilitate collaboration between testing and quality professionals, learning through events and distribution of trending and topical information and articles.
Currently, NGSTQB offers accreditation and audit of training providers to supply courses that meet the ISTQB syllabi, facilitation of certification of individuals according to ISTQB criteria, promotion of test engineering and management as a career path for IT professionals in Nigeria. They also provide access to both local and international experts to share their knowledge through some organised events.
The training is said to be available onsite and also virtually with their software testing courses designed suitably for anyone who needs a basic understanding of software testing or to demonstrate practical knowledge of the fundamental concepts of software testing which may include undergraduates, graduates, project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and even management consultants.
People who have advanced in their careers are not left behind. According to Boye, ” It is appropriate for people who have achieved an advanced point in their careers in software testing. These include people in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and software developers. “
Candidates who attend NGSTQB trainings will undoubtedly be able to increase their marketability throughout the industry, enjoy greater career opportunities and of course, an increase in their earning potential, they will understand fundamental concepts of software testing, be able to demonstrate understanding of how different development and testing practices as well as different constraints on testing may apply in optimizing testing to different contexts. They also will be able to understand test management principles for resources, strategies, planning, project control, and risk management, understand the value that software testing brings to stakeholders, appreciate how testing activities and work products align with project objectives, measures and targets and as well assist in the selection and implementation process of testing tools.
When asked how their programmes are different from what is commonly available, Boye explained, “Our programmes are focused on the software development and testing sector. That is the difference. “
