Feedback although, as is to be expected with any such initiatives,
There are around 1,100 employers supporting the there are a few teething problems.’
first 44 CBE delivery consortia – the local groups of But more worrying for both ministers and the
companies, training providers and others that work industry is that student numbers in the CBE diploma
together to offer the service. A key factor for diplomas have not been as high as expected. The Foundation
was to improve retention and provide a new learning Course – level 1 – has been criticised by some in the
experience equivalent to GCSEs or A-levels. Students profession for being too academic, and significant
are also given the opportunity to choose a specialist numbers of students have quit the course, blaming
learning qualification as part of their diploma, and a lack of practical training.
this will allow them to gain more knowledge and skill Stoke-on-Trent College’s programme manager
in a particular vocation. for construction George Carr says two out of three
Gooderson argues that the CBE diploma’s strongest schools have taken their students off the level 1
selling point is that it provides a hugely innovative course.
We expect
and interesting vehicle for learning; and it prepares Other concerns centre on the Foundation Course
the diploma
learners for either entering employment through grading, which is rated as the equivalent of a D grade
mainstream apprenticeships or progressing into at GCSE. ‘The fact is that it is a big departure for
will provide
further or higher education. teachers as well as students,’ Carr says. ‘There needs
us with a new
Feedback from teachers and students has been to be a shift from the old “chalk and talk” style of
pool of young
hugely positive, according to Gooderson. ‘The recent teaching to more hands-on lessons. The CBE diploma
Ofsted report on their introduction also reflects this needs to be adapted to suit the capabilities of students
people who
because, at the moment, it is too academic.’
have the skills
Diplomas: 3-year roll-out
He adds that a planned multi-million pound
to make it in the
construction centre being built jointly with the
for vocational learning
Building Research Establishment, featuring business
construction
• The CBE and Engineering diplomas were among incubator workshops, should inject fresh energy into
and the built
the first batch of five to be introduced in September the course. ‘This will be a major boost in delivering
environment
2008. The other three were: creative and media; the CBE diploma,’ he says.
society and health; and IT. Some observers say the government should have
sectors
• The CBE diploma is overseen by 44 delivery been more prescriptive about the practical element of
– Tim Forrest
consortia and had 1,700 learners last academic the level 1 diploma, as currently they vary greatly from
year, with a further 3,000 that were expected to start area to area, while others point out that all vocational
this September. diplomas have seen a fall in take-up.
• Five new diplomas became available this
September, taking the total now available to 10: High stakes
business and finance; environmental; hair and But employers involved in the CBE diploma believe
beauty; hospitality; and manufacturing. it is already making a difference. Tim Forrest, chief
• A further four diplomas will be introduced in executive of construction firm HT Forrest, backs the
September 2010 – public services; retail; sport and qualification and urges others to follow suit to avoid
leisure; and travel and tourism – and another three a skills shortage when the country emerges from the
a year later, in humanities; languages; and science. recession in 2011. He says: ‘We expect the diploma
This will take the total to 17. will provide us with a new pool of young people who
Source: Department for Children, Schools and Families have the skills to make it in the construction and the
built environment sectors.’
38 CIBSE Journal October 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
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