A Diploma is a new qualification which aims to provide young people in England with the skills and knowledge they need to progress into employment, training or further and higher education. Schools and colleges in England will begin teaching the Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment from September 2008.

There are three levels of Diploma.

• The Foundation Diploma
• The Higher Diploma
• The Advanced Diploma 
• A Progression Diploma – for young people who are not in a position to complete a whole Advanced Diploma.
• Employers can be confident that a young person with a Diploma has mastered essential skills in English, Maths and ICT and has a good understanding of the built environment sector. Diplomas will also provide young people with opportunities to experience different styles of learning, learn in different settings, and make informed choices about the kind of work they wish to do.

Employers can be confident that a young person who has achieved a Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment can apply their skills in work situations, and has an attitude which can make them successful at work.

Any young person wishing to progress into Higher Education institutions can be confident that achieving an Advanced level Diploma will be ideal preparation for undertaking a degree course.