Case study
D
Delivering
iplomas
Employer engagement:
Raising the bar
Employers play an integral role in Diplomas. Pete Henshaw, editor of Delivering Diplomas, reports on the work
of educational foundation Edge, its Business in Schools resource, and the North Hertfordshire Partnership
ERTFORDSHIRE HAS
H
built a formidable reputation
at the cutting edge of the
new Diploma qualifi cations.
T_h e North Hertfordshire Strategic Area
Partnership has achieved Gateway 3 status and
is working towards Gateway 4. It introduced
all fi ve available Diplomas last September,
launched three more in September 2009, and
has another three in the pipeline for next year.
T_h e region’s success has not gone unnoticed,
as Peter Mitchell, education director of
independent education foundation Edge,
which campaigns to raise the status of
vocational learning, told me: “Edge fi rst
visited North Hertfordshire in 2007 and
Hands-on: Students outside T
he Comet newspap
er
was immediately struck by the focus and
after their tast
e of life in the w
orkplace
determination with which those involved in
the project approached their work.
“Everybody we spoke to was committed the fi elds which young people are studying. As well as stressing the importance of
to improving young people’s education by And the respect that young people have for collaboration and communication between
providing them with the many paths to such experts is immediately noticeable. I’ve all those involved in delivering Diplomas, Mr
success which they need to develop all their witnessed projects led by local business leaders Glew emphasised the need to build up strong
talents and abilities.” where the level of focus and quality of work relationships over time.
For Mr Mitchell, the key to the success have been very high.” He explained: “In North Hertfordshire,
enjoyed by North Hertfordshire, is access In 2007, Edge was part of a group that we have built long-term links with local
to high quality, real-world interaction with produced a research report that found a businesses and this has certainly stood us
the workplace. He explained: “Young people desire among employers and schools to work in good stead when it comes to providing
recognise that one day they will be entering together more. In addition, there was a call learning which has a real business context.
the world of work and enjoy it when their for a web-based tool to host, encourage and We are working hard to make sure that
education makes a connection between what improve the fl ow of information between the we continue to build on the existing links
they are learning now and how it relates to the two. In light of this, Edge developed Business between local businesses and education.”
real world. Without tying them to a particular in Schools, a campaign and web portal to One of the organisations Mr Glew has built
career path, Diplomas can open young encourage more employers to support young links with is the Hertfordshire Chamber of
people’s eyes to the many possibilities of their people by providing work-related learning. Commerce and Industry, which has taken on
future working lives.” While not limited to the employer the responsibility of working with employers
And crucial to making this vision succeed engagement element of Diplomas, Business in the region to deliver the required number
is engaging employers in the process of in Schools assisted those employers who were and quality of work-related opportunities.
education, as Mr Mitchell, a former head, interested in the qualifi cation to connect with Owen Davis, education business links
explained: “Teachers do a great job, but they local schools and colleges. director of the Chamber, is keen to stress that
cannot do everything. It is too much to expect Indeed, this resource contributed to the employer engagement is a two-way street.
for teachers to be up-to-the-minute on all already existing ethos of partnership, which He explained: “What I try to emphasise to
the latest developments. Students need the Matt Glew, co-ordinator at the North our membership is that getting involved in
input of experts within their profession – local Hertfordshire Strategic Area Partnership education can bring benefi ts for a business in
employers who are working day-to-day in Group, says has been vital to their success. its own right.
56 Delivering Diplomas • Volume 1 No 1 Autumn 2009
56-57 edge.indd 12 18/9/09 12:17:07
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68