Construction Diploma: student numbers to triple, says schools minister

The number of students on the Construction and Built Envronment (CBE) Diploma could triple from 1,500 to 4,500 by September this year, schools minister Jim Knight revealed today.

Announcing an increase in the number of consortia offering the course by another 57, Knight said: “We have reached the tipping point for Diplomas. Over three times the number of students will be starting in September than did so last year."

He added that almost every local area in England will offer a Diploma by 2010 with construction CBE Diplomas across England by 2013.

The additional 57 consortia will bring the total number of consortia offering the course to 187 by September 2010.

Contractors have weighed in behind the new course with 1,150 firms pledging their support for the new qualification, according to ConstructionSkills.

There are currently around 1,500 students taking the CBE Diploma, which was launched last September. The course got of to a slow start, with far fewer students enrolling than the 4,000 first predicted by the Department of Children, Schools and Families.

However if government predictions are right, around 4,500 students will enroll on the course by next September.

Nick Gooderson, ConstructionSkills qualifications chief, welcomed the news and called for more firms to support the course.

He said: “As the Diploma grows we will need more and more employers to make it a success and we urge any organisations not yet taking advantage of this unique opportunity to join the 1,150 businesses already working with tomorrow’s workforce.”

Contractors already committed to the course include:

• Wates
• Balfour Beatty
• Lovell
• Seddon Group
• Rok
• CB&I
• Kier Group 
• Bovis Lend Lease