Opinion
Inspiring success
We are now 18 months into the delivery of the new Diplomas. IainWright, 14 to 19 minister, looks at how they
have developed and their growing reputation among employers and in higher education
he greaT thing about the Diploma with strong support offered by universities, with
T
is its versatility. Whether students are figures from UCaS confirming that advanced
thinking about heading to university Diploma students can now apply to 85 per cent of
or going straight into the workplace, university courses in the UK.
the Diploma is allowing them to develop the skills, When I visited Long road Sixth Form College,
knowledge and self-confidence that will help them to many young people were working on their UCaS
thrive in a number of different industries and sectors. applications. I was struck by the variety of courses
Many teachers will already know that it is not they wanted to apply for, and the level of knowledge
just the progression routes into higher education the students had about the jobs and industries that
and the workplace that makes the Diploma such their courses could lead to. The students that I met
an important qualification for young people. For at Long road had a mix of skills and abilities, but
many Diploma students, the contact they have with what really shone was their positive attitude and
employers during the course is a key reason why they motivation.
find it so engaging. The Diploma is not the only qualification which is
I recently met two groups of Diploma students encouraging young people to believe they are capable
on a visit to Long road Sixth Form College in of thriving at university or in the workplace. The
Cambridge; one studying the Diploma in Creative recent reforms to 14 to 19 education are giving more
and Media, and the other the Diploma in Society, young people the chance to succeed, with a range
health and Development. of options available – including apprenticeships,
The enthusiasm among both groups was gCSes, a levels, Foundation Learning as well as the
infectious. Students told me how much they enjoyed Diploma – to suit different interests and learning
having regular contact with employers, and that the styles.
insight the Diploma gave them into many different When young people are given a taste for the
sectors and industries motivated them to think about success that they can achieve, and the kinds of
their own careers and future prospects. jobs and work environments they might be able
The Diploma in Creative and Media students had to work in, it inspires them in a way that learning
been working closely with Cambridge-based The solely from a textbook might not. For schools and
Junction – a busy cultural venue. as part of their local authorities, the challenge now lies in ensuring
course, these students have been able to work with all young people – whether they are studying the
some of the country’s leading arts and entertainment Diploma or a different qualification – are given high-
specialists. They have been given creative briefs, quality support to help turn their dreams for the
and attended seminars in marketing and audience future into reality.
development (see case study on pages 34 and 35). Our new Information, advice and guidance
The inspiration the students draw from this (Iag) strategy provides the framework to support
kind of contact with talented and highly respected young people’s choices at every stage of their
professionals is clear. Since the Diploma’s education and training.
introduction, a growing number of businesses are Schools and colleges now have a responsibility to
choosing to back the qualification and share their provide the right support so that young people and
skills and knowledge with Diploma students on their families can raise their aspirations and choose
some really exciting projects. the right pathway for them.
Five new “national champions” have been every young person has the potential to enjoy
appointed by the education and employers success and fulfilment later in life. For the Diploma
Taskforce to head up the Diploma employer students I met in Cambridge, and thousands of
Champions Network, to encourage yet more others across the country, this success and fulfilment
businesses to share their knowledge and expertise is already within reach. DD
with young people in their area.
and it is not just links with employers that have • Iain Wright is the parliamentary undersecretary of
been developing at a fast pace. We are also delighted state for 14 to 19 reform and Apprenticeships.
8 Delivering Diplomas • Volume 2 No 1 Spring 2010
08-09 opinion.indd 8 5/3/10 10:16:46
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