Diplomas Presentation to the CPHD 2nd April 2008 Gareth Cadwallader Chair, IT Line of Learning Diploma Development Partnership

Bringing your learning to life The Diploma – Introduction Slide. “Diplomas offer students theoretical and practical learning with clear progression to Higher Education and employment. The strength of this qualification lies in the partnerships between schools, colleges, employers and Higher Education. By working together we can engage and motivate more young people and make their learning more relevant to their lives.” Sir Mike Tomlinson “Starting out in the business world can be tough, but Diplomas provide young people with the knowledge and skills to get a head start.” Sir Alan Jones, Chairman Emeritus of Toyota Manufacturing UK LTD and Chairman of SEMTA, the Sector Skills Council for Engineering. “Diplomas increase the range of qualifications that young people have available to them. Young people studying the Diploma will gain skills that are valuable for university and for their future.” Professor Michael Arthur, Vice Chancellor, University of Leeds.

Bringing your learning to life Employer dissatisfaction with the status quo: a shared concern?  Young adults today are inadequately prepared for productive professional working life, especially in the following areas:  Critical thinking  Creative thinking  Use of quantitative, rigorous analytical and problem solving methods  Awareness and Effectiveness in team working  Basic business discipline, personal management and motivation  Employers are alarmed at the perceptions that young people have of IT-related study and careers; falling GCSE, A-level and HE enrolments; low engagement of women; dependency on foreign- born recruits.  Employers are dismayed at the poor numeracy and use of language of apparently highly qualified young people embarking on professional careers

Bringing your learning to life Diploma Overview  The Diploma in IT sets out to provide an inspiring education which, while particularly relevant to students who may ultimately consider a career in IT, will be valuable for a very wide spectrum of choices in Higher Education or work.  Objectives;  Develop talent and help students fulfil their potential in life, learning and work  Boost students’ achievements in education (school, college and university)  Boost students’ employability, whether directly or after Higher Education  Inspire and prepare more students to pursue technology-related education and careers  339 schools & colleges in 44 consortia will offer the IT Diploma in 2008

Bringing your learning to life What does this mean for universities?  The Diploma provides a challenging and high-quality programme of learning as robust as 3.5 A levels.  The Diploma provides young people with the skills and knowledge they need to do well at university.  The flexibility within the Diploma enables you to specify any particular additional/specialist learning options to be taken to reflect your entrance requirements for certain courses.  The nature of Diploma learning means that students will be self- motivated and have developed strong intellectual and personal skills, which will make the transition from school or college to university much easier.

Bringing your learning to life A levels How does it fit with other qualifications? GCSE D-G Other provision GCSE A*-C A levels Foundation Diploma Higher Diploma Advanced Apprenticeship Young Apprenticeship Apprenticeship EmploymentHigher EducationFurther Education Key Stage 3 IB Advanced Diploma

Bringing your learning to life What does it involve? An overview: Skills, knowledge and understanding central to the chosen Diploma At least 50% is applied Employer designed and endorsed Principal LearningGeneric Learning Additional/ specialist learning Functional skills: English, Maths, ICT Personal, learning and thinking skills Additional Qualifications e.g. A – level or equivalent Can broaden and deepen learning programme Progression pathways Work experience (minimum 10 days), Project

Bringing your learning to life What is the Diploma in IT?  On completion of the Advanced Diploma in IT, students are expected to be able to:  Assess the contribution of technology in the global business environment, and create business cases for technology-enabled business solutions.  Identify and describe the fundamentals of how organisations operate and key factors underpinning business performance.  Communicate and operate effectively in the business environment, demonstrating use of English and Maths to the standard required in the professional workplace.  Identify key factors in the success or failure of projects and develop high quality project plans relevant to realistic work environments.  Design and develop software solutions that deliver identified business benefits, including demonstrating competencies in programming, data management and security.  Support small-scale system operations, including systems management, technical problem solving and change management.

Bringing your learning to life Structure of the Advanced Diploma in IT (Level 3) Advanced Level Diploma equivalent to 3.5 A levels Principal and Generic Learning ‘Line of Learning’ subject matter Extended Project (synthesis of learning across the Diploma) Personal Learning and Thinking Skills Work experience Additional & Specialist Learning (ASL) Any A-level e.g. - mathematics - physics - foreign language Any other qualification of appropriate credit Equivalent to 2.5 A levels Equivalent to 1 A level

Bringing your learning to life Structure of the Advanced Diploma in IT (Level 3) Extended Advanced Level Diploma equivalent to 4.5 A levels Principal and Generic Learning ‘Line of Learning’ subject matter Extended Project (synthesis of learning across the Diploma) Personal Learning and Thinking Skills Work experience Equivalent to 2.5 A levels Equivalent to 1 A level Principal and Generic Learning ‘Line of Learning’ subject matter Extended Project (synthesis of learning across the Diploma) Personal Learning and Thinking Skills Work experience Additional & Specialist Learning (ASL) Any A-level e.g. - mathematics - physics - foreign language Any other qualification of appropriate credit Equivalent to 1 A level Additional & Specialist Learning (ASL) New Options; -“Maths for Technologists” and -“English For Technologists” modules Any A-level e.g. mathematics physics foreign language Any other qualification of appropriate credit Our opportunity to work together to develop exciting new modules

Bringing your learning to life How can Universities and Employers work together?  To achieve the objective of increased uptake of IT-related education and career options, it is very important that employers and universities work together to enable the Diploma to fulfil its potential.  Examples of ways in which Universities might wish to work together with Employers to support the Diploma include the following:  Providing innovative challenges or competitions as the basis for the extended projects students will undertake  Offering to deliver lectures or host workshops to support delivery of the Diploma in local schools  Helping to craft guidance for students on progression, for example helping to define simple ways to explain the diversity of Higher Education and career options related to IT  Creating new options for ‘Additional & Specialist Learning’, including level 4 options to stretch the most able students.