With less than a year before the first wave of students throughout England begin to take the Construction and Built Environment (C&BE) Diploma UCAS, the body responsible for deciding the points system used to report achievement for entry to higher education, announced the C&BE Diploma would be worth as much as 3.5 A-Levels, providing a wake up call to employers.

Schools Minister Jim Knight accepted the recommendation that the new Diplomas should be judged equivalent to 5 GCSEs grade A*-G at the foundation level, 7 GCSEs grade A*-C at the higher level and 3.5 A Levels grade A*-E at the advanced level in the achievement and attainment tables.

Jim Knight went on to confirm an investment of a further £45m in teacher training to support the roll out of Diplomas in 2008/09. He also announced details of £28m cash funding for Diplomas in 08/09, meaning schools and colleges teaching Diplomas to 14-16 year olds can get hands-on practical experience in schools, colleges and the workplace and £15m to ensure joint working between schools and colleges.

-- Advertisement --

Nearly 4,000 pupils across England are set to take the C&BE Diploma from September 2008. It offers employers in the sector a real opportunity to help inform the education of young people and shape the skills of the future workforce but greater numbers are needed to offer work experience, teaching support or site visits to give students an insight into industry.

A large number of employers are already involved including Wates, Balfour Beatty, Lovell, G&J Seddon, CB&I, Kier Group and Bovis Lend Lease, but many more are yet to fully engage.

Schools Minister Mr McKnight said: "Diplomas are the first qualification to be developed with such a high level of input from employers and universities. QCA and UCAS are confirming these are rigorous and challenging qualifications. Pupils can now be confident they will study valuable, first class qualifications when they take a Diploma, and universities and colleges can be assured their quality.

"We have reached another important milestone in delivering Diplomas, with the opportunity to combine theoretical and practical options that brings."

The Construction & Built Environment Diploma has been developed in consultation with industry to ensure it reflects the needs of employers. It combines practical skill development with theoretical and technical knowledge, taught by people with relevant industry knowledge.

(JM)