Diploma debate
Fighting the recession
The Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment was rolled out at the start of the recession. Four key
players in this line of learning discuss the impact the tough climate has had
alf way through its NG: This suggests that the recession the Diploma now will be well placed to
H
second year, the Diploma in has had absolutely no affect on us. But, help meet skills requirements. a lot of the
Construction and the Built not wanting to be the voice of gloom, I negativity in the media is about mainstream
Environment (CBE) should can’t imagine that there have not been any construction but the other built environment
perhaps be looking at an altogether different recessionary ramifications, especially as the industries are not doing so badly – areas like
state of affairs. It was rolled-out at the construction industry in particular has been facility management, energy and utilities have
start of a recession; a recession that hit the shaken very hard indeed. not been hit so hard.
construction industry particularly hard. CS: at wates we’re acutely aware that if RC: add to that the fact that this Diploma
But the current state of affairs for the CBE we drop the momentum that’s been built is as much about the built environment as it is
Diploma does, in fact, belie this potentially up so far on the CBE Diploma, we’ll lose an about construction. It’s such a massive, wide
damaging factor. It was recently announced entire generation and will have rendered our sector that contains a myriad of opportunities
that uptake numbers for the second year of efforts so far useless. we don’t want to use the for students, and letting them know this
entrants have doubled, and employer support recession as an excuse to stop training and course isn’t just about building is going to
remains high. But the recession does loom miss out on the best new talent. continue to be crucial.
large in people’s minds. RC: Now is the best time to train – when NG: The nature of the Diploma is
In this discussion, Nick Gooderson (NG), we come out of recession we’ll need young, collaborative, and while we’re all looking at it
head of standards and qualifications at qualified people and those students taking from slightly different perspectives, we do all
ConstructionSkills, talks with Chris Simpson the CBE Diploma at the moment will be well have a common goal, and that is opening up
(CS), education liaison advisor at construction placed. Once the recession eases off, there will our sector to young people. we’ve seen some
giant wates, Roy Cavanagh (RC), training be great opportunities for young people. parts of the sector suffer and others prosper,
manager at Seddon Group, and John Stopani NG: I think this is also an important point but we’re trying to counteract the perceived
(JS), director of 14 to 19 partnerships in the to pick up on – when does the recession ease? tumultuous nature of the sector during this
Croydon Borough wide Consortium. The government has announced that we are recessionary period with the message that
now, officially, out of recession, but official CBE is an interesting, vibrant and diverse
NG: we have doubled our uptake of entrants figures and anecdotal evidence from across career path to consider. It’s an unenviable
for this year (2009/10) which is really the sector which is propagated by the media, position – how do we go about achieving this?
encouraging news, and suggests that perhaps often suggest otherwise. JS: It’s not impossible; it’s a case of working
the recession has not had as detrimental Parents, teachers and learners hear a lot in together smartly and collaboratively. I think
affect as may have been predicted by some the media about the recession and the effect the impact would be greater if the Diploma
commentators. it’s having on the CBE industries, so they’re was studied by many more pupils.
JS: I’d agree, although it is difficult to judge likely to be concerned and might opt for as it’s been rolled out slowly it hasn’t been
how much of an impact the recession has different subjects or careers; a lot of issues a problem yet, as the scale of the Diploma
had on the CBE Diploma so far. Most of surrounding future take-up figures for the is manageable at current levels – if a few
our employer partners are major firms CBE Diploma, that must be tackled head-on, employers did drop out nationally those losses
which turn over millions of pounds are related to perception rather than reality. could be absorbed.
a year who, like all of us, have been CS: agreed. I’ve personally been to lots of NG: Steady growth is what we’re looking
affected by the recession Diploma events over the last year where you for and will be a massive achievement during
and will certainly can see the momentum that’s building up and these tough economic times. It’s been a real
face difficulties over the enthusiasm among learners and consortia; struggle for us compared to some other
the coming year. the issue over the coming year is going to be Diplomas, as there’s no precedent for teaching
That being said, our pushing this qualification to parents so they young people about CBE in the classroom,
consortia has yet to know what it is and what it’s worth to their and as an industry, as has already been
see any drop in the children. They won’t think this is a bad time mentioned, the media has documented our
fantastic support to take a subject like the CBE Diploma if they woes with tabloid-precision.
employers have understand the course better. JS: They have, I’m afraid, but this recession
given us. NG: So it’s a case of understanding the is a very short-term issue and we’re looking
course better as well as understanding the to create a workforce for the 21st century,
market better? we’re not going to be in for the long term, and integral to that is the
recession forever and those students studying Diploma. DD
32 Delivering Diplomas • Volume 2 No 1 Spring 2010
32 reccession.indd 2 5/3/10 12:21:31
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