Threefold increase in firms backing the construction diploma

Construction firms are rushing to come on board for the launch of the Construction and the Built Environment (C&BE) Diploma, with a 300 per cent increase in companies pledging their support.

With just 30 days before the Construction and Built Environment Diploma launches, a further 206 construction firms have committed to deliver the new qualification, bringing the total number of employers to 276.

The C&BE Diploma, which has been developed by 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 and it aims to equip students with skills they can apply to the next stage of their development; be that university, college or the world of work. 

Nick Gooderson, Head of Standards and Qualifications at ConstructionSkills, the lead partner in the development C&BE Diploma said: “We have been inundated with request from firms eager to play their part in training the workforce of tomorrow.

“We have worked hard to achieve this result. ConstructionSkills, the Diploma Employer Champion Network and the C&BE Diploma Engagement Group have all lead active campaigns to recruit more employers. Consortia too have rallied support within their local communities and the result is testament to everyone’s dedication, in ensuring that the Construction and Built Environment Diploma is a success.”

Roy Cavanagh, Training Manager of Seddon Group and Diploma Employer Champion said: “We are offering work experience placements, on-site and school visits but it’s entirely up to the business how involved they are. Firms recognise this is an excellent opportunity to raise their profile within their local communities. It’s also a way of developing new recruitment channels.”

Nick Gooderson added: “We now need to maintain the momentum and ensure that we have even more firms on board by September 2009 when the number of consortia offering the course expands from 44 to 130 and student take up increases.”

For more information on the Diploma and how your businesses can get involved, visit www.cbediploma.co.uk  

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For further information please contact Andrew Mabey on 0207 367 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

• 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

• By 2011 all students in the country will be able to choose a Diploma in 1 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