April 2010

A new engineering qualification that aims to help students develop skills that employers require and value has won the backing of industry leaders, including the CEO of London-based A1 Technologies Ltd.

The Diploma in Engineering was first launched in 2008 by the Engineering Diploma Development Partnership (EDDP), which includes the Royal Academy of Engineering and six Sector Skills Councils – Cogent, EU Skills, Go Skills, The Institute of the Motor Industry, Semta and SummitSkills. Now a number of business leaders have offered their support for the qualification by becoming ‘Diploma Champions’.

Martin Stevens, CEO of A1 Technologies Ltd and Chairman of Made in London - an organisation representing manufacturers in the capital - is a strong advocate of the Diploma and backs the call for more work-based learning for young people.

“As an employer I would like to see more relevant up-to-date education, with better skills development,” he explained. “The Diploma will provide employers with a work-ready pool of candidates to recruit from and this, in turn will help boost the UK economy.”

A1 Technologies Ltd is a leading provider of 3D design and printing technology to schools and Martin is showing his support for the Diploma by attending a number of large events to talk to parents, teachers and young people about what the qualification has to offer.

He also helps to provide students with business insight through work-experience and by setting them practical problem solving tasks.

“As a company bringing cutting edge technologies to everyone, we need highly qualified engineers and technicians and the Diploma in Engineering will play a key part in helping this to happen,” said Martin, who is also a member of the London Skills and Employment Board.

The Diploma in Engineering is unique in terms of both content and delivery and can be studied to three levels, Foundation, Higher and Advanced.

Teaching is both classroom-based and delivered in the workplace by schools, colleges, independent training advisers and employers themselves – helping to bring education out of an academic environment and into the real world. A minimum of 10 days engineering work-experience is also guaranteed, offering students the chance to learn from professionals.

Philip Whiteman, Semta Chief Executive said: “We are delighted that Martin has become a Diploma Champion. The support of companies such as A1 Technologies is essential to the success of the Diploma that is already helping young people to acquire the skills needed to keep the UK at the forefront of world engineering.”