New Diploma for Construction & the Built Environment gets off to a positive start

More than 3,000 pupils have signed up to the new Diploma in Construction & the Built Environment (C&BE).

The news comes as some schools and colleges have reported the course has been "oversubscribed".

The Diploma, for 14 to 19-year-olds, will benefit people who would like a career in property services, housing, facilities management or cleaning.

The qualification has been developed by a number of Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) including Asset Skills, which represents the above industries.

The SSCs have consulted closely with employers to ensure its content is relevant to industry needs.

David Bell, Head of Qualifications and Standards at Asset Skills said: "This is a positive start for the C&BE Diploma and we hope to see more sign up by students over the coming months.

"This also presents an opportunity for other employers to get on board and we are confident of a successful launch in September."

The Diploma is being run by a number of "consortia" - partnerships made up of schools, colleges, training providers and employers and will be taught from September 2008.