High interest

Developed with the support of Semta – the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies – the Diploma in Engineering was launched in 2008 after extensive research into the current and future skills requirements of UK employers, and in its second year it has seen a 50% increase in student numbers.
Working alongside other Sector Skills Council's, Semta collaborated with businesses across the country to develop the diploma, which can be studied three levels, Foundation, Higher and Advanced.

Teaching is both classroom-based and delivered in the workplace by schools, colleges, independent training advisers and employers themselves – helping to bring education out of an academic environment and into the real world. A minimum of 10 days engineering work experience is also guaranteed, offering students the chance to learn from professionals.

As part of their studies, students look at the importance and impact of engineering on everyday life as well as discovering basic engineering principles and related technology. They also explore how new materials contribute to design and the skills needed to develop and launch new ideas.

In its first year the diploma attracted around 2,500 students, who are now in their second year, but in September
more than 3,840 young people signed up for the course.

Commented Philip Whiteman, chief executive of Semta: “The students who started the course in September 2008 have really enjoyed it and this has influenced numbers for 2009/10.

“The country needs many more young engineers to safeguard its future economic prosperity and the Diploma in Engineering is designed to deliver a workforce that is ready to meet the demands of industry and help develop the next generation of engineers.”

Added Mike Evans, director of engineering and technology, RWE npower: “For UK companies to remain competitive in the future they will need young people with skills that are relevant to the environment they will be working in. Input from employers ensures this diploma helps industry while providing young people with the skills they will need to find work once they leave education.”

Semta
www.engineeringdiploma.com