Qualification could be the answer

Feb 26 2008 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

JANE ATKINSON is vice president of utilities operations with industrial utilities and services business Sembcorp, based at Wilton. She is also a member of the Diploma Employer Champions Network:

IT’S no secret the UK is facing a skills shortage and young people are currently entering employment without the knowledge, skills and attitudes that support competitiveness.

Let’s look at the North-east:

Research last year by the Learning and Skills Council shows 21% of North-east businesses have a skills gap compared to the national average of 16%.

It’s estimated that 70,000 new jobs will be created in the region by 2016 and we need recruits with the right skills to fill them.

I believe the Diploma can help address this, changing the workforce for the better.

The Diploma is different from existing qualifications as it bridges the gap between theoretical learning in the classroom and practical, hands-on experience.

Designed in consultation with employers, it will also include a strong emphasis on core skills in English, maths and ICT, as well as project work to develop independent thinking.

There are three Diploma levels - Foundation, Higher and Advanced - that can be taken at different stages in a young person’s education and the qualification will be available in a selection of schools countrywide from September 2008.

Each level will provide an entry route to employment (including Apprenticeships), further and higher education, or professional training schemes. By 2011, subjects will range from engineering and hospitality to languages and media. It is this mix of essential skills and work-relevant knowledge that will help change the face of the UK workforce.

Employers can be confident that a Diploma graduate will be competent with regards to literacy and numeracy and have relevant practical experience and the aptitude and self-motivation to add real value.

I work in the engineering profession and skills deficiencies are costing this sector a lot of money, in terms of high recruitment costs and delays in the development of new products.

I’m supporting the Diploma as I believe the design and content of this new qualification will help to fill some of the most common skills gaps, including problem solving, the application of theory to real situations and an aptitude in maths.