A fundamental change is taking place in secondary
education in the UK. From September 2008, 14 to 19-year-olds will
be able to study for diplomas that blend general education with
applied learning. There will be five diplomas available, one of
which is in IT.
The bar is being set very high for this new qualification. To
succeed, the diploma must meet employer needs for young people with
a broad range of knowledge and skills, including a solid grounding
in maths and English.
It must meet the needs of higher education and higher-order
skills such as critical analysis and problem solving.
And last, but definitely not least, it must meet the aspirations
of a wide range of young people - from students preparing for the
most demanding university courses to those planning to enter the
workforce directly.
Win hearts and minds
Introducing a major new qualification into an established
education system is not easy. It will take time to win the hearts
and minds of young people, their parents and teachers. They will
want to see that the qualification is respected and credible.
There is a very real need for these diplomas. With the emphasis
on education in the context of a key business sector, the diplomas
will help to prepare young people with the knowledge and skills
they need to succeed in the global employment market.
Of course, there is much more to education than preparing young
people for university or a job. Diplomas will have the flexibility
to accommodate personal choice and interest. For example, the IT
diploma will enable students to take GCSEs and A-levels in subjects
as diverse as languages, science or music.
Vital partnership
The diplomas have immense potential, but to succeed they need an
unprecedented partnership between schools, employers and higher
education.
The IT diploma focuses on technology in a business context,
which differs significantly from existing GCSEs and A-levels in ICT
and computing. This has implications for schools and colleges in
terms of staff training and teaching materials.
Employers have a vital role to play in helping schools to
prepare for and deliver diplomas to the highest standards. At a
local level, this means support for work experience and
work-related learning. At a national level, there needs to be
sector-wide involvement of employers to create inspiring, relevant
resources for students and teachers.
In the long run, the IT diploma will help to address the UK's IT
skills gaps and shortages by attracting more young people to
technology and ensuring they have the skills to add real value in a
global economy.
The UK holds the blueprint for a world-class qualification. If
everyone - employers, higher education, government, schools and
colleges - puts their full weight behind the development and
delivery of diplomas, we can make it a reality.
Karen Price is chief executive of sector skills council
E-Skills UK
Have your say:
Will the IT diploma help
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