Learning School diplomas
Uncertain
course
The introduction of vocational diplomas into British schools is meant to
inspire young people to join the engineering and construction sectors.
But, asks Simon Ellery, can they provide the skills and learning needed
by the building services sector?
I
t has been described as the most radical reform of employment sector and work-related skills; additional
British education in decades. The idea behind the and specialist learning, in which students can further
range of school diplomas available for 14- to 19 year- their learning in a particular area; and generic skills to
olds is to bridge the gap between academic study help them develop their English, maths and IT, as well
and vocational skills, with industry heavily involved. as thinking and life skills.
On paper this sounds like a dream ticket that would But this summer Ofsted, the inspection body,
suit the government’s need to limit the numbers of criticised key areas of the diploma courses. It said:
young people not in education, employment or training, ‘Work in functional skills lacked co-ordination in just
and help the construction industry’s skills shortage. under half the consortia visited and, as a result, the
But the fly in the ointment has been the recession, quality of teaching and learning varied considerably.’
which has seen the demand for new trainees plummet. Experts involved in the setting up of the courses say
The courses have also come in for some criticism. the criticism is misplaced, while others say the course
Not only have the government’s own educational needs time to develop.
inspectors attacked the diploma courses for failing ConstructionSkills, the sector’s skills body, has a
to deliver basic skills in English and maths, but mandate to provide training to ensure the industry The CBE
many schools have pulled out, saying they are too has the skills for the upturn when, it is hoped, a raft of
diploma needs
academic. housing, schools and office developments are expected
Industry estimates had forecast that construction to be given the green light. ConstructionSkills head of
to be adapted
in the UK needed an average of 37,000 recruits every education Nick Gooderson says: ‘For the first time in to suit the
year between this year and 2013. And it is this demand the history of the schools curriculum, construction and
capabilities
that partly led to the development of the Diploma in the built environment features as a qualification that
Construction and the Built Environment (CBE), which has national entitlement.
of students
was introduced a year ago – alongside the Diploma ‘We believe that, once teachers, parents and because at the
in Engineering – and is now one of 10 vocational learners become familiar with the qualification it
moment it is too
diplomas available in schools and colleges. will become a popular choice and promote the huge
The diploma is divided into three parts – principal array of career opportunities that exist in the CBE
academic
learning, in which students are taught about the industries.’ – George Carr
www.cibsejournal.com October 2009 CIBSE Journal 37
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 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72