SkillsActive chief responds to Diploma criticism
The description of Diplomas as "back door" qualifications by shadow children's minister Baroness Verma has prompted much discussion.
In response to the comments reported in the Times Education Supplement, Stephen Studd, chief executive of SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning, has described the comments as "ill-informed and, quite frankly frustrating".
"Different people learn in different ways and it is about time education provision reflects this. As the organisation which has led the development of the new Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure, we have spent the last three years consulting with universities, colleges and high profile employers in the industry to ensure students will emerge from this qualification workplace ready."
"Forgive me, but is this not the actual point to education - ensuring that young people are ready, able and qualified to do a job once they emerge from school, college or university?"
"Diminishing the achievements of learners at such a time as this when jobs are increasingly difficult to come by is counterproductive. I would happily invite Baroness Verma to meet some of the individuals that have been involved in making this Diploma rigorous, challenging and rewarding in order that she becomes better informed about the content," adds Studd.
