Diploma gets 'royal' approval

ConstructionSkills, the lead partner in the development of the new Construction and Built Environment (C&BE) Diploma and the Department for Children, Schools and Families today welcomed the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) full backing for the C&BE Diploma.

 RICS will recognise the C&BE Advanced Diploma as a suitable qualification for entry onto its esteemed undergraduate courses, run at almost 50 universities across the country.

The C&BE Diploma, which has been developed by ConstructionSkills (the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry) employers, schools, colleges and universities, aims to help young people aged 14 to 19 realise their potential and gain knowledge and skills in a ‘real world’ environment. It can be taken instead of or alongside GCSEs, A-levels and vocational subjects. 

Nick Gooderson, Head of Standards and Qualifications, ConstructionSkills said: “The C&BE Advanced Diploma will equip its students with the relevant tools to go on and thrive in a university environment and we are delighted that this view has been backed up by RICS in their support of this course.”  

Nick Evans, Higher Education Policy Manager at RICS  said: "We believe that the C&BE Advanced Diploma is an important development. It will be of interest to our partnership universities and have agreed that they can accept students with the Advanced Diploma on to their RICS accredited courses."

"Of course it will be up to the individual university if they choose to accept Advanced Diploma applicants and also determine the lines of learning, but RICS believes that it is a suitable qualification for entry to our accredited undergraduate courses."

Schools Minister Jim Knight added: “I'm delighted such a reputable organisation like the RICS are endorsing the Construction and the Built Environment Diploma, another example of the growing support from employers, universities, colleges and other institutions for the Diploma.

"The Diploma is one of the most exciting developments in education and its unique mix of theory and practice will give our young people the key skills they need to succeed. " 

The C&BE Advanced Diploma is equivalent to 3.5 A Levels grade A*- E and will be recognised by colleges and universities across England.

For more information on the Diploma, visit www.cbediploma.co.uk. 

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For further information please contact Andrew Mabey on 0207367 9807 or email andrew.mabey@cskills.org

 Key facts on the Diploma:     

•  The Construction and the Built Environment Diploma (C&BE) has been developed by the Diploma Development Partnership (DDP) made up of ConstructionSkills, Summit Skills, Asset Skills, Proskills, Energy & Utility skills and the ECITB

• The Construction and Built Environment Diploma is a new qualification for young people aged 14-19 in England from this September.

• So far, 44 areas in the country will be involved in delivering the Construction and Built Environment Diploma and over 3,000 students are confirmed to take the course

• Major contractors supporting the scheme include; Bovis, Laing O’Rourke, Lovell, Wates, Rok, Balfour Beatty, Kier, Persimmon Homes, Carillion and Seddon Group

• The first Diploma courses will be taught from September in selected areas of England

• By 2011 all students in the country will be able to choose a Diploma in one of 17 disciplines

• There are 3 levels of Diploma – Foundation, Higher and Advanced – that will be graded in the same way as GCSEs and A-levels

• The Foundation Diploma is equivalent to 5 GCSEs grade D-G; the Higher Diploma is equivalent to 7 GCSEs grade A*-C; the Advanced Diploma is equivalent to 3.5 A Levels grade A*- E