Diploma move earns seal of approval

Mar 12 2008 Evening Gazette

PROPOSALS to introduce a fourth tier of Extended Diplomas were welcomed by North East manufacturers as a further attempt to ensure the new curriculum delivers excellence.

EEF Northern, the manufacturers’ organisation, has consistently supported the diplomas as long as they have sufficient rigour to be accepted as a route to higher education. It believes last week’s proposals will provide a further boost to their reputation.

EEF Northern director, Alan Hall, said: “This is a welcome step in cementing the rigour and prestige of diplomas and their acceptance by students, employers and the academic community. We may now be seeing the beginning of the end of the difference in standing between vocational and academic education.

“The key now is to ensure that the different levels are clearly understood by all parties to avoid any risk that their laudable intentions will be undermined by any confusion.”

EEF Northern has more than 500 member companies and provides legal, employment law, employee relations and HS&E advice and training. It has access to more than 60 lawyers and barristers to help its members understand the issues associated with the ever increasing introduction of legislation and regulation.

EEF represents the interests of its members at UK Government, European and international level,.