Business Bolton

Diplomas - how can businesses help?

The Diploma is an exciting new qualification for young people aged 14 to 19, designed to better prepare them for the world of work, whether via college, university or directly into employment.

Developed in partnership with over 5,000 employers, The Diploma is set to become one of England's three main education options alongside GCSE, A Levels and Apprenticeships.

It has been developed with employers for employers and marks the start of a new era in English school and college education. Through an active partnership with employers, The Diploma has been designed so that students gain an in-depth understanding of how to behave and get things done in industry sectors relevant to their Diploma subject.

They will develop the employability skills that all employers value and have a learning experience relevant to the modern workplace. The Diploma has been designed to help students explore potential careers in areas that interest them, but also to keep their future career options open.

Getting involved
Diplomas offer a welcome opportunity for employers to get involved with schools and colleges. The equation is simple: the richer the employer involvement, the better the preparation of the Diploma student. You can help by:

Mentoring: Build a structured and trusted relationship between you and young people, with you providing guidance, support and encouragement to help develop the competence and character of the learner

Providing work problems and business materials: Through The Diploma, you have the opportunity to help design realistic work-related projects, and share branded business materials, to breathe life into the curriculum generally and Diploma projects particularly

Visits to your business: Hosting work-based visits for small groups of students to help develop their understanding of the workplace

Helping teachers understand the workplace: By you offering ‘buddying' or providing work shadowing placements for teachers and tutors. This is an important means of building and maintaining the occupational knowledge of teaching professionals

Visiting business expert: Giving short talks to Diploma classes, helping young people really understand an aspect of their learning in relation to business. Industry days: where you spend a day at a school or college taking part in an exciting activity, undertaking the challenges of business

Contact information: Providing industry knowledge and support to teachers and young people by being available to offer advice on current and emerging industry practice

Work shadowing: Giving a young person the opportunity to see a specific job in action, developing their understanding of an industry or career

Business and enterprise challenges: Undertaking a real business challenge with real aims and outcomes

Ways to get in touch

If you and your organisation would like to support local schools and students studying for a Diploma, please contact Andrew Hughes on 01204 375798.