FAQs

FAQs
Q. Is the Diploma here to stay?

A. Yes, the Government has stated its intention for all young people to have a national entitlement to a Diploma by 2013. Diplomas have been designed by employers in collaboration with representatives from universities, schools and colleges to be attractive and engaging for learners. As with all major reforms, it will take time to become familiar with the new Diploma. From 2009, over 72% of secondary schools and 88% of colleges will be involved in teaching the Diploma and it will be available across the country by 2011.

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Q. How have universities reacted to the Diploma?

A. Higher Education has welcomed the Diploma - 79 universities will be involved in local Diploma partnerships from 2009. The full specification for the Diploma was only available in September 2007 and since then universities have gone through a process of detailed scrutiny. Many were waiting for the decision of the universities admissions service, UCAS, in December 2007 on how the Advanced Diploma compared to A levels. UCAS ruled that it was equivalent to three and a half A levels. This decision means that the Advanced Diploma will be a recognised route into Higher Education.

The Advanced Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment will enable young people to apply for a range of university courses. Some departments will specify what Additional Specialist Learning should be undertaken as part of Diploma studies, for example Civil Engineering departments are likely to ask for additional Mathematics. We advise students to check entry requirements with the universities they intend applying to.

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Q. How does the Diploma fit in with the current qualifications framework?

A. In the 2005 14-19 White Paper the government committed to work towards a more transparent and rationalised range of qualifications for young people, with a clear set of qualification choices for young people, each of which is widely understood by learners, parents, teachers, employers and higher education. The White Paper set out three main options for learning style, for young people to make at different times: GCSEs and A levels, Diplomas, and Apprenticeships. The 14-19 Qualification Strategy includes details of how they intend to introduce the Diploma and ensure it fits with other qualifications.

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Q. How will Young Apprenticeships and the Diploma fit together?

A. Work to develop the Diploma so that it fits with the Young Apprenticeship Programme is ongoing. At this stage Young Apprenticeship is being developed as a distinct programme within the Apprenticeship family, to sit alongside the Diploma.

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Q. What financial support is available to employers involved in Diploma delivery?

A. Funding for Diploma provision is allocated to LAs for 14-16 year old Diploma students and through LSC for 16-18 year olds. Pre 16 this takes the form of a Diploma grant for the additional costs of Diplomas which cannot be met from mainstream funding allocated to local authorities for their schools. For 16-18 year old Diploma students funding for the cost of their programmes is allocated to the school or college at which they are based. The involvement of employers in the direct delivery of learning activities within the Diploma learning programme would be determined by the Diploma delivery consortia and in such cases it would be appropriate for the employer concerned to be funded for any learning activities they provide.

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Q. Have employers been involved in the Diploma?

A. Yes – employers have been integral to the creation of the Diploma. Can my business still get involved? Absolutely. It is important that businesses remain at the heart of the Diploma programme to ensure schools and colleges stay in touch with the latest needs of industry. Employers can get involved with local consortia and provide training and work-experience placements.

 

A Recognition Scheme has been launched that provides a logo that employers can use to signify that they are supporting the Diploma in C&BE. The scheme is designed to recognise the commitment the organisation has shown in supporting the diploma. This scheme is open to all employers who have supported work related learning in the Diploma in C&BE.

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Q. What is the Diploma Employer Champions Network?

A. The Diploma Employers Champions Network has been set up to encourage and support long-term employer involvement in Diplomas. The network is led by Sir Alan Jones of Toyota and consists of volunteer champions from a full range of employers across the English regions.

The Champions help spread awareness about the Diploma, for example in the media or at national conferences, and speak to local groups of employers. They also feed back employers' views to Government. At national and regional level the Network works with many partners to support high quality employers/education links. If you are an employer and you want to know more or find out how to support the network, they would love to hear from you. Please contact Jo Kelly: JKelly@semta.org.uk

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Q. How will Diplomas help my business?

A. Because the Diploma is driven by employers’ skills requirements, it will ensure students have an excellent grasp of English, maths and IT skills, while always applying these subjects to real business scenarios where possible. Students will learn a range of skills, for example from understanding the importance of applied mathematical skills in engineering to writing business letters. A minimum of 10 days’ work experience will also provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge, while individual project work will encourage initiative. All this will enable more school leavers to make an immediate, positive contribution at work, lessen the need for basic training and induction and allow employers to focus on specialist training suited to making their business more efficient. But the Diploma will also stretch the most able students to ensure they are prepared for whatever path they choose: further or higher education or skilled employment. The focus is on transferable skills that will deliver mobility in the labour market and enhance UK competitiveness.

 

The Diploma in C&BE Recognition Scheme will also offer a number of possible benefits to participating employers. These benefits will include:
  • Display of a national certificate in premises.
  • Display of C&BE logo on letterheads, vehicles sides etc.
  • The opportunity to refer to recognition on company websites, publications and other documents.
  • Providing evidence of support to show commitment to investing in education and training and thereby supporting recruitment.
  • Possible positive media coverage.

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Q. How are work experience placements structured?

A. There is no single model. Each Diploma student will undertake a minimum of ten days work experience. Work experience placements are structured around the needs of the learner together with what it is practicable for the employer to offer. In some cases there will be a single learner on block placement; others might have a series of short placements over a longer period. Some employers can offer placements to a number of learners, others will be more limited in what they can accommodate.
You can give your support in a number of ways. Visit the employer section to find out more.

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Q. Does the work experience have to be a single ten-day event for each level of study?

A.  For some learners a period of extended work experience will be appropriate; for others, a one or two-week placement is more suitable. Part-time work could also provide useful opportunities. In addition it is recognised that it may not always be practical for experience to be gained in a single workplace. Both employers and facilitators have identified timing as one major criticism of schools seeking placements for work experience, many want it to occur in the final few weeks of the year, late June and early July. Clearly, if the requirement is already difficult to fill, expecting that it can be managed over a 6-8 week window of a 40-week school year is unrealistic. Additionally, from an employer viewpoint, managing a placement programme spread evenly throughout the year is much easier to engage with than a high demand over a short duration.

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Q. Does the work experience have to be in construction and the built environment?

A.  The full range of working environments covered by the construction and built environment sectors is exceedingly wide and diverse. The wealth of work experience that could be provided across the built environment is much greater than construction alone. Consortia are encouraged to consider the opportunities for work experience that could be available in areas or sectors such as: electrotechnical, heating, architecture, surveying, housing, property management and sales, health and safety, contracts management, project management, glass, electricity, gas etc. It is also important to recognise that work experience, in any setting or sector, has the potential to be useful in the development of enterprise and employability skills.

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Q. Who will be responsible for making the necessary transport arrangements for work experience?

A. It's the responsibility of work experience organisers in schools together with Education Business Partnership (EBP) Organisations to ensure that arrangements are in place for young people to get to and from their work experience placement safely using the transport available locally.

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Q. Who will act as a clearing house for work-experience placements?

A. Education Business Partnership Organisations are in operation across the country and can offer a clearing house function if that is what the employer wants. Other employers might choose to work with a single education institution.

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Q. If an employer felt unable to offer a work experience placement how else can they get involved?

A. Work experience is just one form of work-related learning. Other types include workplace visits, giving presentations at schools/colleges, providing project materials, offering enterprise activities, remote working opportunities, mentoring, or supplying careers materials. Click here for more details.

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Q. What help is given to employers to ensure the health and safety of students while on work placements?

A. The main responsibility for controlling risks to health and safety of students rests with employers. Students on work placements are designated as employees for the purposes of health and safety and must be treated as any other member of the workforce. There is more information on health and safety within the employer section of the website.

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Q. What facilities are needed in order to provide high quality teaching?

A.  The Diploma in C&BE is based on a combination of class work and practical learning and at least half the main, mandatory element should be applied, work-related learning relevant to construction and the built environment. It is important that students have opportunities to study in realistic environments and be taught by teachers who have a good grounding in their subject. There is core advice available in the “Gateway Guidance” section of the Diploma in C&BE website.

 

It is expected that consortia will need to have facilities, resources and workforce capacity that are sufficient to ensure that all the three themes of design, create and value and use are fully explored by all learners. There should also be provision of:
  • workshop and realistic work environments which permit hands-on experience of using and maintaining a range of hand tools and equipment used to perform decorative, trowel, wood working and metal working operations
  • personal protective equipment relevant to young people using hand tools and equipment which meets statutory requirements
  • access to equipment for carrying out a range of testing procedures on standard building materials
  • access to sites and locations which demonstrate the use of new natural and manufactured materials and processes
  • current software and equipment used in CAD, technical drawing, surveying, measuring and quantification
  • access to current software and other project management and quality assurance tools and techniques
  • access to current practitioners in senior posts within planning, surveying, housing, property, facilities management, building services and construction and opportunities to experience working environments relevant to these work roles
  • access to expertise in and site application of current environmental protection and sustainability techniques and processes
  • access to urban and public development, regeneration and community developments and how they can contribute to delivery of the Diploma
  • access to equipment and materials which allow learners to create designs, models, drawings and other representations of the built environment
  • access to facilities and up-to-date equipment necessary to deliver all the outcomes within selected pathways.

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