ANNEX 1
THE OU/TWI/LRET MODEL
The principle is to use the expertise of TWI
in materials fabrication, its connection to industry through its
Industrial Membership, and its international provision of training
in welding and associated technologies, combined with the teaching
principles of The Open University to produce a method of increasing
the number of graduates in a fundamental aspect of SET. This scheme
will be marketed reflecting the sponsorship received, as in the
case of the Lloyds Register Educational Trust.
The OU has built a strong reputation in the
education of part-time students. It has the schemes and controls
necessary to give integrity to the qualifications it awards. It
is this that forms the basis of the project. The part-time, distance-learning
approach of the OU is ideally suited to developing high-level
education in those who need to remain in work whilst studying.
The scheme will be based on stepwise development of qualification
via a credit-based system giving flexibility of timing and exact
route chosen. Although initially developed in the UK, a major
aspect is that the scheme should be readily transportable to developing
nations giving access to, and thus acceptance of, British qualifications
and technology know-how. Being centred on distance-learning modules,
the OU system is readily applied to students throughout the world.
The Welding Institute is a founder member of
the scheme for welding engineering qualification operated by the
International Institute of Welding (IIW). This scheme is recognised
by more than 40 countries around the world as giving qualifications
demonstrating knowledge in the theory of engineering fabrication.
No other instance is known in any profession of such widespread
acceptance of a single qualification. The learning required for
an IIW Diploma will be assessed by the OU and incorporated as
modules counting towards an OU qualification.
The Engineering Council of the UK bestows professional
qualifications upon suitably educated and experienced individuals.
These qualifications, especially Chartered Engineer (CEng) and
Incorporated Engineer (IEng), are recognised as significant achievements
relating to education, work-based learning, job knowledge and
the commitment to continuous professional development. TWI is
a Licensed Member of the Engineering Council of the UK and is
authorised to assess qualifications for eligibility towards CEng
and IEng. The modules available for this scheme will be selected
for applicability to the Engineering Council requirements so that
a student may gain these professional qualifications without further
academic achievement.
FIGURES
Figure 1
UCAS DATA ON STUDENTS STARTING ENGINEERING
COURSES IN THE UK
Figure 2
HESA DATA ON NUMBER OF STUDENTS STUDYING
MATERIALS IN THE UK
Figure 3a
CEng REGISTRATION
Figure 3b
IEng REGISTRATION
Figure 3c
EngTech REGISTRATION
Figure 4
DATA FROM SEMTA SURVEY OF EMPLOYERS 2006
Figure 5
POPULATION ESTIMATE FOR 16- AND 18-YEAR OLD
PEOPLE IN THE UK
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