A new qualification developed by industry to teach manufacturing and design skills in schools and colleges - the Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design (MPD) - will be available in a total of 48 areas from next year following its initial roll-out in 28 areas this coming September.
It is one of 14 industry-linked Diplomas being introduced for 14-19 year olds as an alternative to A-Levels and GCSEs, and draws on the expertise of leading employers to ensure the qualification gives students a sound footing in real skills relevant to the manufacturing industry.
The Diploma is expected to provide opportunities for students to gain accredited qualifications in disciplines ranging from computer aided design and engineering, to furniture making and food safety. The choice of qualifications, known as Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL), was recently released ahead of the launch and is intended to complement the study of core principles relevant to all manufacturing sectors by offering clear progression routes into the industry.
Derek Jones of food and drink sector skills council, Improve (one of the five sector skills council partners involved), said that the qualification was developed in direct response to manufacturers’ complaints about the shortage of young people entering industry with appropriate knowledge and skills.
“Its main purpose is to give young people a sound understanding of what manufacturing is in an applied, real-life context,” he says. “The core topics cover product design, materials science, production systems and business and management, and it also pays close attention to ‘employability’ skills like communication, numeracy and ICT, as well as ‘soft’ skills such as critical thinking and team work.
“But the intention is also to give students an education they can actually use, which will stand them in good stead in the workplace. So the ASL requirement has been developed to allow students to pick from a wide range of existing, recognised qualifications, be it something specific to a particular sector or to a particular manufacturing theme, or on a different topic altogether. For example, a modern language, which could be useful to them.
“This offers students the widest possible choice of future paths, preparing them for further academic study in college or university, and giving them the chance to gain qualifications that will be recognised in the workplace.”
Employers are expected to play a central role in the delivery of the Diploma in MPD, working as part of consortia, or in partnerships with schools and colleges. Their role will range from offering work placements to assisting with project topics to assisting with teachers’ Continuing Professional Development.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for employers to shape the education of the next generation of workers,” says Mr Jones. “Not only is this putting manufacturing right at the heart of mainstream education, it is mirroring the way companies train and develop staff in the workplace and giving young people practical skills they require in the workplace.”
The ASL list includes a range of BTecs in Engineering, including specialised pathways in manufacturing, applied science, operations and maintenance and electrical and mechanical, City & Guilds qualifications in food manufacture, print and furniture production, and ABC awards and certificates in craft bakery and fashion and textiles.
“For the very first time, manufacturers are being given the chance to engage directly with young people before they leave school or college,” says Mr Jones. “Their involvement in delivering the Diploma in MPD will ensure students develop a practical understanding of the rich diversity that characterises manufacturing, pick up transferable skills required in the workplace, and establish a solid foundation from which they can progress on to further studies, training or work.
“It is great news that by September next year, students in nearly 50 areas around the country will be able to take the Diploma in MPD. What we now hope to see is even more companies coming forward and showing an interest in getting involved, joining or forming consortia, and taking advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to inspire and educate a new generation of workers.”
A roll-call of companies, including JCB, Land Rover, GlaxoSmithKlein, Cadbury’s, Unilever and BAE Systems have all played their part in the development of the Diploma in MPD. It is founded on core topics of business and enterprise, material science and product design, and production systems, with the option for students to take additional and specialist learning units, which could include taking extra qualifications in specific aspects or sectors of manufacturing.
Students are tested for competency in English, maths, IT and personal skills such as team working and problem solving, and must complete an extended project and a minimum of 10 days work experience. Employers working with consortia to deliver the Diploma will contribute in a variety of ways including giving talks, hosting site visits, setting project topics, keeping teachers up-to-date with industry trends and offering work placements.
There will be a chance for interested parties to catch up with the initiative just one month following the initial roll-out of the Diploma in September. The fourth national ‘Delivering Diplomas Conference’ takes place at the Aston Conference Centre, Birmingham, on Thursday October 1 2009. Call 0207 501 6762 for more details. For more information about the Diploma in MPD visit
www.manufacturingdiploma.co.uk
An interesting little snippet popped into my email inbox as I was about to put this particular newsletter to bed. Apparently, over half of all manufacturing bosses (58%) are worse at motivating their staff since the recession began, if a survey of over 1,600 workers by the campaign, Keep Britain Working (www.keepbritainworking.com) is to be believed. And this sizeable sample doesn’t exactly mince its words.
According to survey respondents, one third (34%) of manufacturing bosses have increased their criticism and blaming of others; 38% have hidden themselves away; more than one in four (31%) have simply become indifferent, 22% are pretending that nothing's happening and 23% have started shouting and raging! Phew!
Let’s hope kids taking up manufacturing as an option in their last years at school, don’t get cold feet with such depressing statistics!
Les Hunt
Editor