Memorandum submitted by the Institution
of Engineering and Technology (IET)
1. The Institution of Engineering and Technology
(IET) was formed by the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE)
and the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE) and has more
than 150,000 members worldwide. The membership of the IET represents
a wide range of expertise, from technical experts to business
leaders, encompassing a wealth of professional experience and
knowledge, independent of commercial interests. Our members recognise
the important contribution that the proposed Diploma scheme could
make in preparing young people for careers in engineering and
technology.
2. The IET is therefore pleased to respond
to House of Commons Education and Skills Select Committee Inquiry
into skills issues. This submission covers the 14-19 Specialised
Diplomas and has been prepared on behalf of the Institution's
Trustees, after inviting input from its membership.
3. We have adopted a pragmatic view of the
Diplomas. It is very easy to criticise the concepts behind them,
but we felt it was more valuable to accept they were being introduced
into schools and that our role should be to work with those developing
them to help ensure they are the best, most suitable and interesting/engaging
courses that can be delivered. We have therefore supported the
development of the Engineering Diploma, firstly by working with
the consortium of sector skills councils (SSCs) and then the Qualifications
and Curriculum Authority. We are now starting to engage with the
awarding bodies. It is also our hope that we will be able to support
delivery in schools in some manner, either directly or through
our members or business partners. There are nevertheless a number
of issues that the Select Committee may wish to investigate.
4. Firstly, in our view the introduction
of the Diplomas has been rushed. Insufficient time has been set
aside either for the creation of new course content, or to take
and consider input and experiences from the wider group of stakeholders.
Hence, whilst we are actively supporting the development process
we are withholding final endorsement until we see a completed
Diploma structure.
5. Secondly, we must get this right first
time. Whilst it is argued that the 2008 delivery is only on a
small scale, it is still being delivered to students, and students
only get one education. The time between 2008-13, from initial
introduction to the mandated national teaching, can of course
be used to further improve delivery. However it cannot be used
to re-educate those starting the Diploma in 2008.
6. Thirdly, 2008 is a pivotal year for the
future success or failure of the Diplomas at large. The first
group through must have a positive experience and succeed—otherwise
irreparable damage will be done to the qualification as a whole.
For subjects that are not currently widely delivered in schools,
such as Engineering, getting it "wrong" in terms of
the Diploma will seriously damage subjects that already have perception
problems.
7. We have provided more detailed comments
at Annex A; these reflect largely our experiences with the development
of just the Engineering Diploma. However, we have recently become
involved in the development of the Manufacturing Diploma and it
is pleasing to see that the Diploma delivery teams are working
closely together. We hope that implementation of the later Diplomas
will draw from the lessons of those in the first wave.
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