Manufacturing employers urged to engage with workforce of tomorrow

The Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design has been developed to equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career in industry, and will be taught from a curriculum designed in partnership with manufacturers. Available to young people aged between 14 and 19, it will be launched in September 2009 in 27 areas across England, delivered by approved consortia of schools, colleges and employers. In September this year, new consortia will be invited to apply to deliver the qualification from 2010, extending its reach to more young people. By 2013, the diploma will be available to all young people in England. “Having a qualification available in schools and colleges that has been designed by industry provides us with an excellent opportunity,” said Helen King, who is leading the diploma development project team. “In order to reap its benefits, it’s vital that businesses are actively involved in its delivery. Employers have long spoken of the problems they face attracting young people into the sector, and about the difficulties of finding skilled recruits who can add something to their business. The Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design offers the chance for employers to take action, by engaging directly with young people while they are still in learning. It is a massive opportunity, and one the industry cannot afford to let pass by.” The partnership approach to deliver the diploma will allow students to apply theory learned in the classroom to real work environments, by spending time in specialist colleges with high-spec manufacturing facilities, and with manufacturing companies. A minimum of ten days work experience is an essential part of the diploma. However, not every employer within a consortium will be expected to offer work placements. “Manufacturers can get involved in all sorts of ways, regardless of their size,” continued Ms King. “Providing work experience placements would be of real benefit, but there are other options for companies that don’t have the time or resources for that level of commitment. Employers could help to draw up practical projects, provide continuing professional development opportunities for teachers on the latest technologies and processes, or give talks or presentations about their business to students undertaking the relevant units. “This early contact with young people will help businesses get a head start in picking out the brightest talents, and will mean they are directly involved in developing a pool of well-informed, pro-active, motivated potential employees at the earliest stage.” The diploma will be available at three levels – foundation, higher and advanced with learning split into three components. Principal learning is designed to provide a broad understanding of manufacturing processes, while generic learning covers English, maths and ICT. Additional and specialist learning gives learners the chance to develop their particular interests, by taking specialist courses relating to specific sectors. Courses could include GCSEs, A-Levels or vocational qualifications. Depending on the level and pathways followed, the diploma will prepare young people for employment, to undertake an apprenticeship, or go into Further or Higher Education. The formal Gateway 3 application process for new consortia wishing to deliver the diploma will open in early September and close on 26 November 2008. For further information about forming or joining consortia, visit the employers’ section of the DCFS website at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/employers. Employers can also contact their local Education Business Partnership (www.nebpn.org) for information about working with schools and colleges in their area. The Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design is part of the second phase of a total of 17 new diplomas which will be available to all young people in England by 2013. It has been developed by the five sector skills councils representing manufacturing employers in the UK – Improve, Proskills, Cogent, Semta and Skillfast-UK. Visit www.manufacturingdiploma.co.uk/ for more information.