Case study Awards 2010: Employers of the Year
Diplomas are often referred to as ‘the qualifi cation that businesses were crying out for’. This was certainly true of the companies nominated for the Employer of the Year Award, which excelled in their support for Diploma consortia
J
OHN SHORT believes the Diploma is the only qualifi cation available that prepares young people for the workplace.
“It is motivating, engaging, and head and
shoulders above any other qualifi cation. It is the only qualifi cation where young people have direct contact with the world of work and real-life experiences,” said Mr Short, the marketing director of Harlow Printing in South Shields, and the Employer of the Year at the inaugural Delivering Diplomas Awards. “T e greatest frustration for employers,
when young people come to us straight from school, is that they lack skills such as team- work and a basic work ethic. “T at is neither the fault of teachers nor
of the curriculum, but it is just the way our education system works.”
Mr Short was instrumental in the
development of the Diploma in IT, participating in early discussions about its context and emphasis, and is now strongly involved in its delivery. He visits schools to oversee projects with students and hosts work placement and return visits to the company’s South Shields site. He is also passionate about the South
Tyneside area and the need to exploit the potential and talents of its young people for the good of the region. He promotes the benefi ts of the Diploma to students and parents both through his day-to-day work and as vice-chairman of the Manufacturing Forum of South Tyneside. Although his is a manufacturing company,
Mr Short understands the concept of the Diploma in all its forms and levels, and has
therefore contributed to broadening students’ experiences across a broad sector of industry. He is very keen to see and be involved in
working with many of the Diploma lines as they become available to young people. “It doesn’t really matter which Diploma
a young people wishes to embark upon,” he said. “T e fact remains that the Diploma off ers students the opportunity to develop so many skills. “Companies belonging to the
Manufacturing Forum, for example, guarantee an interview to any student applying for a vacant post, if they are doing the Diploma in this subject. T at is a measure of just how highly we rate the qualifi cation and the potential of the young people we are getting who have chosen this learning route.” As well as general advice and guidance,
and giving students the opportunity to go into the workplace and seeing technology in action, Mr Short has also worked on specifi c units of the IT Diploma, assigning members of his own team to support students in the planning and support of key projects. He believes that the teaching of IT should not be too specialised, as this is not what is required by employers, but that students should have a wide range of experience in diff erent technological applications. Karen Nixon, the lead teacher for IT in the
South Tyneside Consortium, and head of ICT at St Joseph’s School in Hebburn, said: “Mr Short’s contribution to promoting, supporting and implementing the IT Diploma has been outstanding and inspirational to students, teachers and other employers. “T e way in which he delivers the
information to pupils is outstanding. He is extremely knowledgeable in all areas of the business and shows pupils how important communication within his company is. “His understanding of what motivates
young people and the way in which he is able to interact and deliver information is always a pleasure to be part of. He is an outstanding
22 Delivering Diplomas • Volume 2 No 2 Autumn 2010
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