Qualified confusion…

You’ve got a vacancy, you advertise the job. When you get the forms back you don’t know what half the qualifications are!

Over the last few years there have been major changes in education and next year you may find young people applying for work with a Diploma qualification – so what are they all about?

You can get detailed information about diplomas on http://www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas but basically they’re new national qualifications that combine theoretical study with practical experience. They’ll eventually cover 17 disciplines and be at 3 different levels.  They can be taken instead of GCSEs and A levels - or alongside them.

All Diplomas include English, maths and IT skills.  They’re not meant to replace Apprenticeships.  They’re designed around particular employment sectors but they shouldn’t restrict a young person’s career choice.  For instance, a student with an Engineering Diploma will have skills that may be valuable in a whole range of technical careers but will also be relevant in other work areas.
 
If you want a quick guide to where the Diploma, and other qualifications, fit in  - have a look at the Connexions website for Partners. This includes a table which summarises and groups some of the qualifications that you may come across when recruiting young people.  Remember, some qualifications will and have been replaced due to education requirements.

Go to http://www.cnxnotts.co.uk/partners/employers/qualifications.html for more details

What do you think about the range of qualifications available for young people to study?  Do you prefer to employ someone with the traditional GCSES and A-levels or are you looking for young people with more practical experience?  Let us know what you think….

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