The Specialised Diploma: The IT Line of Learning 5 th June 2006

1. The Specialised Diploma: The IT Line of Learning 5th June 2006

2. DIPLOMA DEVELOPMENT

3. Purpose of the Diploma Enabling students to be successful in learning and in working life The individual • Motivation to learn • Fulfilment of potential The employer The nation • Economic prosperity • Social cohesion • Business competitiveness • Productivity

4. Diploma objectives • Provide a world-class learning experience for young people, through a blend of general education and applied learning within a coherent and motivating programme; • Develop young people who, when they enter employment, have the essential skills and capabilities which meet employer needs; • Aid effective transition from schools or college to further education or higher education and to adult and working life.

5. What matters to employers • Business competitiveness in the knowledge economy: • Increasing needs for higher-level skills • Adaptable workforce managing constant change • The capability of the individual: • Boost communications (english!) and numeracy • Develop higher order cognitive thinking and reflection • Build the foundations for lifelong learning • A world-class qualification: • Synoptic approach – addressing employer and HE needs • Ensure preferred route for Higher Education • Maintain currency and employer engagement

6. Why diplomas are different • Effective partnerships • Employers, Higher Education, QCA, DfES, Awarding Bodies • Specifications being developed in partnership • Quality of content • Based on extensive research and understanding of the future • Integration of general education and applied learning (knowledge, understanding and competence) • Independent research • Critical analysis • Holistic • Synoptic approach • Extended project • Clear progression routes, with advice and guidance

7. A multi-purpose qualification • Flexibility to meet the needs of: • Students with the capability of progressing to any university of their choice • Students who are not currently progressing to university but who have the talent to do so • Students who want a valued qualification to improve their employability at 18 - Options, progression routes, advice & guidance

8. The IT line of learning • Purpose: to help equip all students with the capability to thrive in the e-economy • Future IT workforce • Future business managers and leaders • All individuals

9. Timeline Oct 2005 June 2006 Sept 2007 Sept 2008 Design Diploma STAGE 1 Develop qualifications STAGE 2 Prepare for delivery STAGE 3 First teaching

10. Diploma Stage 1 Input from Employer Steering Group Work-related learning requirements Employer Needs Definition New content requirements Input from UK employer survey (632) Higher Education requirements Structure, balance of content and progression Learning Outcomes Diploma specification Ongoing consultation

11. The Partnership Employer Steering Group Diploma Development Partnership Awarding Body Group Education network Project Team Wider consultation

12. Employer views Current issues: “You don’t know what you are getting – what can a person can actually do.” “I don’t understand the qualifications structure.” “Standards are not high enough, especially in English.” “Need more focus on building and assessing competence.” The Diploma must… “Seize the opportunity for clarity and simplicity.” “Be the preferred route for employers and universities, and exciting for students.” “Set a clear standard so employers know what a person can do – must reflect achievement and employability.” “Be business / IT, not just technical IT, and create well rounded students.” “Include meaningful work-related experience.” “Be properly supported by employers – we need to contribute more.”

13. e-skills UK role…. • Unite all key stakeholders to make sure this is successful • Bring together consolidated voice of employers for IT • Define learning objectives and Diploma specification • Engage employers to support development and implementation • Liaise with other Diploma Development teams • Overall responsibility for IT line of learning

14. Stage 1 – defining things! 4Q05 1Q/06 2Q/06 3Q/06 Employer skills needs HE entry requirements Diploma structure & balance Rel 1 Learning outcomes Rel 1 Work-related experience Rel 1 Current qualifications gap analysis & new content specification Assessing delivery implications Diploma spec complete

15. The IT line of learning • Principal learning – develop knowledge, understanding and • skills relevant to a broad economic sector. • Generic Learning – all Diploma students cover common • generic skills which are relevant to successful learning and • future employment. • Additional/Specialist Learning – allow learners to tailor their • Programme according to their interests and aspirations

16. Themes • Business • People • Technology

17. PROPOSED LEVEL 3 STRUCTURE GENERIC AND PRINCIPAL LEARNING ADDITIONALOR SPECIALISED LEARNING How businesses work Realising the potential of technology Business communications and professional development Creating technology solutions Supporting technology systems Core technology skills: programming / data analysis / security EXTENDED PROJECT WORK-RELATED EXPERIENCE INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PLAN

18. Communication Teamwork Personal (self management, thinking, learning) Problem solving Numeracy IT Skills Maturing Diploma Personal Development Skills (personal portfolio development) e.g. Communication – writing business letter writing > short business summary report > detail business analysis report

19. Proposed High-level Outcomes – Level 3 • Understanding the fundamentals of how organisations operate and appreciate key factors underpinning business performance. • Evaluate the contribution of technology in the global business environment. • Design and develop software solutions that deliver identified business benefits.

20. Proposed High-level Outcomes – Level 3 • Manage small-scale system operations, including change management, security and technical problem solving. • Communicate effectively in the business environment, including utilising sophisticated English and Maths to create business proposals and project plans. • Demonstrate inter-personal skills including team working, self-management, critical analysis, creative thinking and reflective learning.

23. Critical Success Factors

24. Conclusion • Input on Learning Outcomes • Critical Success Factors FURTHER INPUT: www.e-skills.com/diploma helen.gormley@e-skills.com