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Visit this page for the latest updates on the Diploma Development. 

The Advanced Diploma is equivalent to 3.5 GCE A' levels.  UCAS has announced that the total potential points scroe for the combination of Principal, Generic and Additional/Specialist Learning components within an Advanced Diploma is 420.  More information is available on the new UCAS Diploma website (December 2007)

Diploma values for school league tables announced.  Schools Minister Jim Knight has accepted the recommendation of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority on what the new Diplomas should be judged equivalent to in the school league tables. The way Diplomas are graded will be aligned with GCSEs and A-levels:

• Foundation - takes broadly the same time to do as four or five GCSEs, worth five grades D-G in GCSE terms
• Higher - takes broadly the same time to do as five or six GCSEs, worth seven grades A*-C
• Advanced - takes broadly the same time to do as three A-levels, worth 3.5 A-levels
• Progression - takes broadly the same time as two A-levels and is aimed at those who cannot complete a whole Advanced Diploma. (December 2007)

Diploma curriculum guidance published on the QCA website includes guidance on the curriculum for the Diploma in Engineering. (September 2007)

National news on Diploma development and policy is available from the DCSF.

National marketing campaign for Diplomas is starting this autumn, with school pupils, teachers and parents in regions where the Diplomas will first be taught being the primary target of communication activities sponsored by the DCSF.  (September 2007) 

Gateway 2 applications invited from consortia of schools and colleges who want to start teaching the Diploma in Engineering from September 2009.  The application window is between now and 3 December 2007.  For further information visit the Delivery Gateway pages.  (September 2007)

Principal Learning and Project qualifications accredited. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has accredited both the Principle Learning and Project aspects of the Engineering Diploma.  Further information is available on the QCA website. (August 2007)

Diploma level titles confirmed. A Minsterial decision has been made about the title for the Diplomas at three levels.  Students completing an Engineering Diploma will be awarded one of the following qualifications:

• Foundation Diploma in Engineering (previously known as level 1)
• Higher Diploma in Engineering (previously known as level 2)
• Advanced Diploma in Engineering (previously known as level 3)
• Progression Diploma in Engineering (a partial Advanced Diploma, previously refered to as the Progressional Award). (July 2007)

Government showcasing of Engineering Diploma.   The Rt Hon Ed Balls, new Secretary of State for Children, Families and Schools, made the Engineering Diploma the focus for initial promotion of the Diplomas.  Speaking during a visit to South Bank University with Schools Minister Jim Knight, Ed Balls said 'I'm confident that when people study the draft content now available, they will see how far we've come in developing a real, and credible, alternative for all young people, giving them an insight into work and providing the skills, knowledge and motivation they need to succed in higher and further education and employment.' (July 2007)

New Government department to champion the Diploma.  Following the change of Prime Minister and subsequent Cabinet reshuffle the Diplomas are the responsibility of the new Department for Children, Families and Schools (DCFS).  With the support of Sector Skills Councils and professional communications agencies the DCFS is planning a marketing campaign to more widely promote the Diplomas from autumn 2007.  (July 2007)

Rockingham Festival was attended by members of the Engineering Diploma Project team in July, to promote the Diploma to young people and their teachers.  (June 2007)

Guidance on supporting work related learning has been produced by the Engineering Diploma Project Team.  The Employer Toolkit explains how and why employers should support delivery of the new Diplomas. (April 2007)

We held three Employer Engagement events in April.  These events gave employers and representatives of successful consortia an update on Diploma developments,  and an opportunity to discuss employer involvement with Diploma delivery.  (April 2007)

118 consortia have been approved to teach the Engineering Diploma from either September 2008 or 2009.  60 consortia should being teaching the Engineering Diploma next year, with more consortia coming on board in 2009.  Approval to prepare for 2008 and 2009 delivery has been given only to the very best applications, with quality rather than quantity the priority for first delivery of these new qualifications.  Further details are on the delivery Gateway pages.  Represenatives of a number of successful consortia met employers at consultation events during April (March 2007)

Teaching workforce development queries can be directed to a new dedicated email dfes.workforce@gsi.gov.uk (March 2007)

Assessment and grading guidance is downloadable from the QCA website (March 2007)

A new employer guide have been produced to update employers on the Diploma.  This includes an outline of content.  (February 2007)

A number of cross sector national Diploma champions have been announced.  We are pleased that the employer champion is a representative of the engineering sector - the Chairman of Toyota, Sir Alan Jones.   

We are looking to recruit a HE champion to help promote the Diploma and discuss the qualification with representatives of other Higher Education institutions.

The Diploma Content Specification and an annex outlining specialist and additional learning has now been submitted to SSDA.  Many thanks to everyone who helped us develop the Diploma Content Specification and gave feedback through attendance at consultation events, responding to consultation questionnaires and other means.

In response to further feedback from higher education, employers and QCA we have since made some amendments to the statement of content.

We are now working with awarding bodies on development of final content and assessment procedures, in a number of case Awarding Body work on Principle Learning is now complete. 

Information is available regarding timescales.

If you want to find out more register for updates or contact Karen Neal at SEMTA.  Alternatively visit the links page for more contacts (including details of Sector Skills Councils involved in development of the Diploma) and other sources of information.