Construction Diploma is 'ludicrous'

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, weighed in to the debate surrounding the new Construction and Built Environment Diploma (C&BED) this week. The Diploma is one of five new Diplomas due to be launched by the Government in September.

Lawrance warned that the lack of work experience would be detrimental to the industry. “It is completely ludicrous that students can pass the Construction Diploma without even stepping onto a building site.  It is essential for students to have experienced the practical side of the industry so what is the point in having these diplomas when they don’t even take students into the field.”

His comments closely follow criticism from the House of Lords and the Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association this month. Concern centres on the lack of work experience the Diploma offers. C&BED students have no guarantee of on-site work experience.

Lawrance added that the Diploma satisfies neither universities’ nor employers’ requirements.

“Not only will they have little practical experience, students who want to pursue a career in construction may not even be accepted into their chosen university as many universities have said that that they would not automatically accept diplomas as they would A levels."

Lawrance called on the construction industry to “take a stand.”  He commented: “There is already a skills shortage in the construction and engineering industry, and with pupils not even having the right qualifications to carry out the roles, we are going to face great problems in the future.”