Case study
Small employers:
A new dimension
DorothyLepkowska reports on a partnership between Wakefield and District Housing and Hemsworth Arts
College for the Construction and the Built Environment Diploma
he inTroducTion of plumbing, to give them an all-round idea of The school is involved in a consortium of four
T
diplomas represents the first time what these are all about. secondary schools, one special school, a college,
that the needs of smaller and “At the same time, we ensure that they and a training provider.
medium-sized employers have find out how the business is actually run, the Pamela Massett, the principal, said: “it was
really been considered by ministers, according systems we use, and how we deal with requests a bit of a challenge setting up the diploma
to Tim craven, the skills and enterprise for repairs. it is important for young people because it was difficult to keep up-to-date
manager with Wakefield and district to know about all parts of the business, rather with all the changes that were coming in while
housing. than just the practical side that relates directly it was evolving. We had to make sure that we
“i can’t remember a time before when the to the diploma.” were working on schedule and that everything
government considered what business and The local consortium set up to deliver the was on time and ready for delivery.
industry needed from their workforce, rather diploma asked the company to sit on the “initially, we thought the diploma would
than just putting young people through an steering group which developed it. be most appropriate for Level 1 students, but
education that they felt would be useful and “our role really was to offer advice and when we realised how much practical work
appropriate,” he said. support on the opportunities that we can was involved, it was clear this wasn’t the case.”
Wakefield and district housing took over offer to supplement what the students are At the same time, it was not completely
the management and maintenance of local learning, and to present the case for having a clear what value the diploma would have for
authority properties from the district council qualification that was relevant to the needs of students at key stage 4 and beyond.
four years ago. Since then, it has worked the sector,” Mr craven said. “We had to be confident that it was
with a number of schools to provide work “From our point of view, it was an worthwhile marketing it to students and
experience. currently, about 100 students a extremely important exercise and we were parents. it was hard to suggest to students that
year do work placements, many of which are happy to be involved. We believe that the they might consider a diploma at the expense
students taking the diploma in construction diploma is extremely valuable, not only for of other vocational subjects in which we are
and the Built environment. young people to develop the skills that are very strong in this school,” Ms Massett added.
“diploma students tend to be sent to work required by employers, but also to make She said the involvement of companies such
in technical services,” Mr craven said. them more employable. The skills they gain as Wakefield and district housing was crucial
“The company renovates and repairs are directly related to the line of learning in making the diploma work effectively.
former local authority housing, so they are following, rather than just being “They are a forward-thinking organisation
the students will work alongside part of a range of subjects that might not be and understand the importance of a relevant
a number of disciplines, sufficiently related to these areas of work. curriculum that prepares young people for
such as brick-laying, “diplomas are really the first time that the workplace. companies such as this have
joinery and anyone has looked at the employer needs and offered vital work experience to our students,
thought about exactly what and their involvement has also improved our
it is that young links with other organisations so that we can
people need to continue to expand our partners.”
know.” She concluded: “diplomas are not right for
one of the every child, but they offer a new dimension
schools that to vocational qualifications. With a large skills
Wakefield shortage in the uK for construction workers,
and district this is the chance to gain an interesting
housing qualification that could lead to a prosperous
has been working future.” DD
with is hemsworth Arts
and community college in
For more case studies and
articles, make sure you visit
Wakefield.
www.deliveringdiplomas.com
62 Delivering Diplomas • Volume 1 No 1 Autumn 2009
62 hemworth.indd 12 18/9/09 14:48:09
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