New Tomlinson-inspired work-based diplomas need government and its agencies to actively engage with employers to fully succeed

October 2007

Government proposals to expand the range of skills-based diplomas, representing a belated shift towards the Tomlinson proposals, are welcome. But these new qualifications will only be a success if government and its agencies engage actively from the very beginning with employers to ensure that what emerges is a set of highly-credible work-based diplomas that meet real needs. These are the conclusions of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

According to the CIPD employers are "crying out" for work based diplomas like the proposed qualification in engineering - but will only embrace them if they've been fully engaged in the process of development.

Martyn Sloman, Learning and Development Adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), said:

"We broadly welcome this belated acceptance of Lord Tomlinson's proposals to bridge the content and credibility gap between A-levels and vocational qualifications. We've long argued that learning needs to be better geared to the workplace, and that different routes to qualifications need to be recognised.

"However, it is absolutely vital that government works actively with employers from the earliest design stage of the proposed new vocational qualifications - and particularly learning and development and HR professionals.

"The government's desire to let the market decide how the qualifications framework develops in this key area is correct. But that does not absolve ministers and their officials of a clear responsibility to ensure that a highly credible, work-based diploma becomes at the very least an accepted part of the UK scene, even if it does not replace A-levels altogether.

"Employers are crying out for qualifications - such as those proposed in engineering - that are more directly relevant to their skills needs. And there is a growing understanding amongst learners that the acquisition of skills relevant to the workplace is vital for the development of successful working lives. Against this backdrop, it would be a tragedy if these proposals failed because of a lack of acceptance in the workplace of the new qualifications, resulting from insufficient engagement with employers in their development and resultant poor design and implementation of the proposals."

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