Employers urged to support new Diploma

Industry involvement crucial to ensure success of qualification

Nov 2008

More employers are being urged to sign up to the new Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (C&BE) during the Governments Gateway 3 process.

Gateway 3 is the latest window in which companies can apply to participate in the partnerships, or consortia, which deliver the Diploma.

The qualification offers an alternative to GCSEs and A-Levels and gives employers in facilities management (FM), housing and property a real opportunity to shape the skills of the future workforce.

It has been developed in consultation with employers to ensure it reflects their needs, teaching students English, Maths and IT as well as industry specific skills. A minimum of 10 days' work experience will also provide students with an opportunity to practically apply their knowledge.

More than 270 employers are already involved including Keir Group, the Eden Project, the Birmingham Bullring, Wates, Balfour Beatty, Lovell, G&J Seddon, CB&I and Bovis Lend Lease.

However, greater numbers are needed to come forward to offer work experience or teaching support.

The 44 Diploma consortia are groups of employers, schools and colleges which began delivering the Diploma in September.

"Gateway 3 is the next stage in the national roll out of this important new qualification," said David Bell, Head of Standards and Qualifications at Asset Skills.

"The Diploma introduces young people to a wide range of career opportunities in the built environment. The consortia are anxious to hear from more businesses in our sector.

"We are therefore appealing for employers in FM, property and housing to get involved with their local consortia. We can provide contact details to any employer who is interested."

Employers can still sign up to the 44 approved consortia or alternatively they should contact their Local Authority or the National Education Business Partnership Network before26 November to register an interest with schools and colleges applying to take part in Gateway 3.

Alternatively, you can contact the Skills Development Manager at Asset Skills, Cathy Lindsay-Carl, by emailing clindsay-carl@assetskills.org or phoning 01392 423 399.

More information on the Diploma and the Gateway process is available here on the Department for Children Schools and Families Web Site