THIS term, young people in Worcestershire have begun studying their new diploma subjects for the first time.

Launched in 2008, the diploma is a new qualification for 14 to 19-year-olds which combines academic and practical learning. It is designed to give pupils the knowledge and skills they need for success in higher education and employment as well as in general life.

Last year, young people in Worcestershire could choose to take the diploma in four subjects: construction and the built environment; creative and media; engineering; and information technology.

From September, pupils were given the choice of a further five subjects: society, health and development; business, administration and finance; hair and beauty studies; hospitality; and environmental and land-based studies.

The diploma offers an alternative to traditional qualifications such as GCSEs and A-levels or can be studied alongside them. As well as learning about a specific sector, all diploma pupils will continue to develop their functional skills in English, maths and computing and will gain essential transferable skills such as presentation and time management.

It has been developed with universities and employers to provide an additional route to higher education and employment.

Iain Wright, minister for 14-19 reform, said: “We know that young people have different interests and talents, and they enjoy learning in different ways.

“Thanks to the introduction of these new diploma subjects, pupils in Worcestershire now have more choice than ever before when it comes to their education.

“Diplomas allow young people to apply their knowledge in practical, work-based and real world situations, which many pupils find engaging and relevant to their future.

“Whether pupils in Worcestershire are thinking about university or employment once they’ve finished their course, the diploma offers them a fantastic opportunity to develop the crucial skills and confidence that lead to success.”

Bishop Perowne CE College in Merriman’s Hill Road, Worcester, is the lead school for two diploma subjects, IT and creative and media, which are being offered for 14 to 16-year-olds.

There are 17 pupils in the first year of the course, which is now in its fifth week. Some come from Droitwich High School and Nunnery Wood High School twice a week to study alongside Bishop Perowne pupils.

Headteacher Julie Farr said the introduction of the diploma had not just had a huge impact at the school but had changed the education landscape.

“It’s about innovation and initiative and we are very proud to have it at our school and be able to embrace the course,” she said.

Ms Farr said the IT diploma was very different to an ICT course as it included skills which employers were looking for in their future employees. It had been arranged around employer’s needs, having come from the business world, rather than from the government, and included skills such as collaborative working, problem-solving and innovation.

Dave Kling, director of learning technology and a lead teacher in the diploma at the school, said: “It has come from employers saying pupils are leaving school and college without the relevant skills needed for them to go into working life. The engagement from pupils on the course has been fantastic.”

Mr Kling said he was continually making contacts with businesses in Worcestershire, including Top Barn, Mazak and Resolve Technology in Malvern that would be able to help with the diploma qualification.

He said: “The pupils can find out more about the business world. We have arranged a few visits from the businesses to the school, and we prepared the children for these visits, so they can ask intelligent questions and also see that business people are not unlike themselves. This gives them great confidence, too.

“The diploma does enhance their core curriculum skills, but gives it application in the daily business world, and it does include maths and English skills. We can see how the pupils are changing already in the subject.”

Ms Farr said: “It’s a very forward-thinking subject and a new way of learning. These are exciting times. It is creating a ‘can do’ culture.”

Pupils taking the course at the school also say they are pleased they are trailblazers by being the first to take the new subject.

Abi Samuels, aged 14, said: “It’s exciting that we are the first group to do it. Everyone asks us about the course and we do recommend it to so many people.”

Joe Webb, also 14, said he was pleased when it became available on the options lists.

“I was really happy to be able to do this course and I like all aspects of the diploma.”

Amber Perry, 14, said: “We are learning some great skills and I’m pleased I chose to do it.”

Khuram Ishtiaq, 14, said he believed the skills he was learning would be good for when he wanted to get a job.

Ten diplomas are on offer this year, with 17 becoming available for all young people in England from 2011.

To find out more about the diploma in Worcestershire, visit direct.gov.uk/diplomas or speak to your Connexions adviser. For more information about the wider changes to education and the courses and qualifications available for young people in the area, visit direct.gov.uk/14-19prospectus