Business gives Diplomas mixed reaction

The government has outlined the next steps in the introduction of Diplomas for 14- to 19-year-olds, and has announced the introduction of a further three subjects.

Students will be able to study for a Diploma in science, languages or the humanities, alongside the 14 subject areas already planned.

The vocational qualifications, set to be introduced from September 2008, will initially run alongside GCSE and A-levels. However, the comparatively academic subjects of the three new Diplomas have heightened speculation that the government is planning to replace the A-level.

A review of the A-level originally planned for next year has now been postponed until 2013, when a wider review of qualifications for the age group will take place.

Ed Balls, secretary of state for children, schools and families, said that it had been argued that Diplomas would only be successful if GCSEs and A-levels were scrapped. "This is not the government's view and not a matter for us to pre-judge," he said.

"We need to have time to consider the success of our Diplomas, and assess how far the changes we have already made to A-levels and GCSEs have strengthened these qualifications."

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) extended a cautious welcome to the developments, though director-general Richard Lambert warned: "GCSEs and A-levels are respected and understood by employers and business would be wary of replacing them without strong evidence that diplomas are delivering the literacy and numeracy improvements promised by ministers."

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) education and skills chairman Colin Willman told More Th>n Business News: "It is important that we have vocational and academic qualifications that are valued equally and this has not yet been achieved.

"The education system must serve both young people entering employment and those going to university to ensure the future of our economy."