A Diploma will demonstrate that the young person holding it has the skills and knowledge that employers require. Diplomas should provide a real material benefit to employers by reducing recruitment and training costs, and staff turnover, as young people come in to the workforce with higher levels of skills and having made better informed choices.

Young people will get the opportunity to participate in a different learning experience, more relevant to employment. They will be recognised for their achievements, which will help raise their sights and encourage them to progress. There will be clear opportunities for progression to the next level.

Diplomas will contain the new functional skills qualifications which will also be included in the revised English, maths and ICT GCSEs. This will ensure that young people secure the right foundation of literacy, numeracy and ICT skills needed for progression into employment.

Work experience is a key feature of all Diplomas. At each level a minimum of 10 days must be spent in the workplace. Wherever possible, this work experience should be directly related to the Diploma being studied, but its focus will be on developing employability skills. This means that work experience could be undertaken with any employer at Foundation and Higher levels but must be sector specific at Advanced level.

Guidance on insurance requirements for work experience visitors.

It is probable that if a young person wants to enter the labour market at 16 or 19 an apprenticeship will suit them best. These work-based programmes allow them to be employed and develop particular occupational competences. The Diplomas will provide a broader education. They allow young people to develop skills that relate to a number of industries and provide employability skills rather than job-specific training.

Many young people who have completed a Diploma, at any of the 3 levels, may go on to an Apprenticeship programme. Where elements of their Diploma programme overlap with their Apprenticeship they will not repeat that learning.

Currently the Diploma is only available in England. The Principal Learning and Project qualifications part of the Diploma will be introduced to the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification from September 2009.