The Diploma
The Diploma is a new kind of qualification that offers a mixture of practical and theoretical learning. It will help students gain the knowledge and skills they need to go to college, university or work.
The aim of the Diploma is to help give employers better prepared and more knowledgeable young employees with skills such as how to think creatively, problem-solve, communicate, work independently and how to work as part of a team.
Diplomas have been designed to meet employers’ skills requirements and ensure that students have an excellent grasp of English, maths and IT skills, while applying these subjects to real business scenarios. Diplomas will open up work sectors to young people, giving them the chance to explore the full-range of career options and experience the full range of business practices.
The Diploma is being brought in gradually and will be available alongside GCSEs and A Levels which young people can take as part of their Diploma course. It is not yet available in all parts of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, but will be by 2013. There will be 17 subjects altogether, introduced between 2008 and 2011.
For further information visit the Direct Gov website
