Case study
Employers:
What can you offer?
The Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design is being offered this year and is being heavily supported by
food and drink employers. David Taylor, deputy editor of Delivering Diplomas, finds out how
he new Diploma in and marketing briefs, and supply chain organisations that have this sussed, but there
T
Manufacturing and Product Design management. Various aspects of the are an awful lot that don’t. This is where the
(MPD) features three principal manufacturing industry are covered, as well support of the eBP can be invaluable.”
areas relevant to all manufacturing as the broader areas of business, such as Mr Long added: “Businesses are really keen
companies in all sectors: business and intellectual property law, financial planning, the to help schools and vice versa, but when the
management; materials science and product impact of global business, logistics planning, schools ask how businesses can help, and the
design; and production and processing. and quality assurance and control. companies don’t know, the conversation doesn’t
As the country’s largest manufacturing sector, Richard Long, senior human resources go any further.”
employing more than 440,000 people, the food business partner at nestlé, said: “The new There are doubts as to how effectively smaller
and drink industry has a vital role to play in Diploma is a prime example of best practice. companies will engage with the Diploma. Mr
developing this Diploma. Using real-life situations from our business wilson believes some smaller companies often
Being involved in the Diploma does not will help students to develop learning and do not understand what is required of them
have to be a huge drain on a company’s understanding that will be closer to what they and feel less able to commit their resources.
resources. The main requirements for employer will experience when they begin their careers in however, it seems moves are being made
involvement are to offer work experience the wider sphere of manufacturing and product to address this, with the news that small to
placements; offer teacher training seminars design.” medium enterprises (SMes) are being offered
to keep teachers up-to-speed with industry nestlé will be offering work experience to £2,500 to take part in the Diploma. This may
developments and specialisms; host student site
visits; give talks to students; and advise teachers
and tutors on setting true-to-life projects.
Businesses are really keen to help schools
Several Food and Drink Federation members
have been supporting the MPD Diploma. Tate
and vice versa, but when the schools ask how
& Lyle has been working with local schools
businesses can help, and the companies don’t
through the newham education Business
Partnership (eBP), of which two of Tate &
know, the conversation doesn’t go any further
Lyle’s employees are on the Board.
Ken wilson, Diploma champion at Tate
‘
& Lyle, said: “The company has provided students, which will include taking them on not affect the decision-making process in larger
opportunities for students to undertake work site visits, incorporating a tour of the company’s organisations, but could certainly make a
experience and site visits, as well as planning consumer insight centre. Visits like this can difference to an SMe.
the delivery in terms of business input and how really help them to understand the work Another important factor to the effective
the Diplomas are going to be rolled out.” that goes on behind the scenes in order for a implementation of the Diploma is parental
nestlé UK is another company supporting product to appear on shelf. acceptance. Mr wilson continued:
’
“If you’re
the Diploma, in collaboration with York Back with Tate & Lyle, the planning and not careful, parents seem to see the Diploma as
College and the north Yorkshire education delivery of the course is one aspect Mr wilson a less academic qualification. It’s a case of not
and Business Partnership (eBP). has found challenging. he explained: “I am only educating potential students on the value
An essential element in the Diploma is the not sure that teachers, who probably haven’t of the Diploma, but also the parents.
real industry-related examples and case studies visited a large manufacturing site and seen what “The success of the Diploma is dependent
that ensure students can see how their learning it’s like, fully understand the value of what we on a number of factors: education and business
fits into the workplace and better equips them can offer students. And I don’t think a lot of need to work hand-in-hand to inform students
for their future career. businesses understand what they can offer to that these courses are available, and that
As such, some of the industry-specific education either. students come out of education with skills and
examples developed by nestlé include a “Businesses are being encouraged to get knowledge more suited to the workplace than
study of the company’s business structures involved, but will be thinking ‘what do we have they may have done if they had followed a
and allocations of roles, real-life design to offer and how can we help?’ There are some purely academic education.” DD
Delivering Diplomas • Volume 1 No 1 Autumn 2009 45
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