What are the major expectations of the Diploma?
- Helping young people to see the direct relevance of their classroom experience
- Providing applied learning using real-life examples from the workplace. At least half of what students learn in their principal learning must be applied.
- Demonstrating occupational relevance
- Preparing young people for the rapidly changing, technology-rich global economy
- Offering experiential learning
- Developing the skills, knowledge and attitudes that 21st Century employers and higher education institutions want; in a broad work-related context
- Ensuring that Diploma students are able to adapt to modern working practices and environments
- Diplomas contain the knowledge and skills needed for a head start in business life [Sir Alan Jones, Chairman, Toyota Manufacturing UK Ltd"]
How can employers support the delivery of the Diploma?
- Offering some of the required 10 days compulsory work experience
- Acting as Mentors
- Providing work problems and business materials
- Hosting visits to business
- Helping teachers understand the workplace through input to CPD programmes including PDPs
- Acting as business experts
- Taking part in Industry days
- Providing Industry knowledge and support
- Making work shadowing available
- Creating Business and Enterprise Challenges
What do schools/consortia/APGs need to do?
- Agree a strategic vision
- Draft an agreed policy and procedures
- Develop a co-ordinated approach
- Make employer engagement a priority
- Plan activities for staff and students
How can Link-Ed help?
Link-Ed has a vital role as a broker to assist schools with a range of employer engagement tasks. Link-Ed can offer services from a wide range of National, Regional and local service providers. These organisations can respond to the needs of schools, consortia and APGs. Services include:-
- Model policies and procedures
- Management consultancy
- Planned Professional Development Placements for school staff
- Trained and CRB checked volunteers from Business
- Practical Advice for planning employer supported events
- Contacts and support from specific businesses
- Quality work experience placements
- Standard and tailored activities
- Trained mentors from business
- Social Enterprise activities
- Materials
- Specific curriculum based activities
- Activities to promote Diplomas and lines of learning to young people and their parents
N.B. Link-Ed can negotiate with both new and existing service providers to arrange alternative offers tailored to meet schools' needs.