Construction to be among first to benefit as education reform takes shape

The introduction of a new ‘Diploma’, for young people interested in construction moved a step closer to reality this week when, after months of consultation with Industry, Government and Education providers, the Diploma content was finalised and published.

The new Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment is one of five diplomas scheduled to come on line in 2008. It will offer 14-19 year olds a greater choice in the courses, subjects and qualifications they can take combining the best of available qualifications with greater flexibility enabling students to focus on specific areas of interest.

The qualifications are being developed in consultation with industry to make sure they reflect the needs of employers. The Diploma will combine the essential skills knowledge and work based learning experiences needed to prepare young people for progression in to the world of work or further and higher education.

The published content mandate outlines what young people will study and the kind of knowledge, skills and understanding they will be expected to demonstrate at each of the three levels at which the Diplomas will be available. Considerable emphasis in the mandate is on the role employers will play in delivering the qualification.

The criteria outlined in the mandate include, that the Construction and Built Environment Diploma must:

• Provide comprehensive guidance on career pathways and job roles.
• Promote innovative work based learning.
• Achieve at least half of its learning opportunities through real or realistic sector situations.
• Promote sustainability, economic, social and environmental factors as well as health and safety.
• Teach students about design solutions and the processes involved in creating buildings and structures.
• Provide the flexibility to allow students to explore particular aspects of the built environment such as architecture, heritage, civil engineering, managing the built environment and the building engineering services

For full details of information contained in the Diploma, download the full document.

Norah Moss, Learning and Development Manager, AMEC, said: "The construction industry is booming, with numerous high profile construction projects planned across the UK, the 2012 Olympic build programme among them. The new diplomas are a timely addition to the drive to ensure the UK has the best people joining the industry at the right time to fulfil the demand.

“Construction is by its nature often very hands-on work so it makes sense to introduce a qualification which will help ensure young people interested in the sector can get the type of real experience not available through the traditional routes. AMEC is delighted to be involved in making this happen."

Sheila Hoile, Skills Strategy Director for ConstructionSkills added: "This is an exciting stage to have reached in the development of the diplomas. Since September 2005 we have been running a consultation with industry, and to have the content agreed with a range of partners from industry, Government and education is a fantastic achievement. We’re looking forward to the next stage, which is to build the detailed qualification architecture with Awarding Bodies and to support the planning of their delivery in 2008.”

Meeting the needs of students

Diplomas will be introduced alongside GCSEs and A-levels. This means rather than all young people doing a set of standard subjects and specialising once their school education finishes, students will be offered the opportunity of an education that meets their learning style, and subject and career interests.

Every Diploma will include generic learning including English, Maths, IT user skills, a project, personal learning and thinking skills and work experience. This will be supplemented by specific learning relevant to the course subject – e.g. in graphic design or maintenance engineering. Finally, additional and specialist learning will enable young people to tailor the course to meet their particular aspirations and interests with complementary learning or with specialist learning giving them a more in-depth knowledge about the subject area e.g. in structural mechanics, nutrition or nuclear physics.

The development of Diploma qualifications will continue until May 2007 when awarding bodies will submit qualifications to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority for accreditation.

For further information, please read the full press release or visit http://www.cbediploma.co.uk