Lords join the diploma debate

The House of Lords echoed contractors concerns this week about the lack of work experience in the government's new diplomas.

In a debate on the Education and Skills Bill, a number of Lords questioned the vocational element of the five new diplomas, due to be launched in September. The diplomas include the Construction and Built Environment Diploma, which does not guarantee any on-site experience on the course.

Baroness Walmsley revealed that there were "considerable reservations" about whether the diplomas provided "relevant practical experience".

Baroness Morris of Bolton agreed, warning against the diplomas becoming box-ticking exercises.

Allowing students to pass the Construction Diploma without on-site work experience is "ludicrous", a leading recruitment specialist warned this week.

Richard Lawrance, managing director of Resourcing Solutions, warned that the lack of work experience would be detrimental to the industry.