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Guide: Working with Schools & Colleges Topic: Education Date: March 2007 Source: EDDP Overview: This document from the Engineering Diploma Development Partnership (EDDP) is designed for employers wishing to work with schools and colleges to provide work-related learning opportunities for young people and/or teacher placements for the new Engineering Diploma. It offers practical advice on what to consider and provides a signpost for further information on a variety of related areas. This will become an increasingly important issue as young people taking the Diploma are required to complete a minimum of 10 days of work experience. Other aspects of this new qualification are also taught in a way that relates to the world of work. This means that there are lots of different ways for employers to get involved in this qualification. ETB linked activity: The ETB welcomes this important publication. We have watched with interest the development of the Engineering Diploma, particularly its work-related learning component, which we supported the development of. One of the most welcome aspects of this publication is the inclusion of case studies to help teachers and employers understand the ways of engaging with work-related learning. A recent initiative launched by the ETB is our careers site, www.enginuity.org.uk. This is aimed at providing information to 11 -16 students, their teachers and career advisors. Under the resources section of this site you will also find case studies which are designed to make the delivery of Science and Design and Technology fun. Further information: To view the Working with Schools & Colleges guide click here. To view the enginuity case studies please click here. |
Research: Parents’ perception of construction Topic: Careers Date: April 2007 Source: Construction Skills Overview: Research released by Construction Skills about parents' career perception of the industry and the findings of the Positive Influence? report. This reveals that construction careers still do not feature on parents' radar as suitable choices for their children. Instead, traditional professions such as doctor and teacher prevail as first-choice careers in the eyes of UK parents. With parents seeing themselves as the greatest influence on their children, the Positive Influence? research highlights the need for the construction industry to reach out to parents. The findings of the Positive Influence? report, launched to coincide with the construction industry's annual recruitment campaign, mean that the construction industry will have to challenge existing stereotypes of the various occupations within the industry to address the current under-representation of women and ethnic minorities as well as the challenge of attracting sufficient recruits. ETB linked activity: The ETB’s own research into SET perceptions and career research adds weight to these findings. Parents’ perceptions of SET Based Careers published in July 2005 explored parents’ attitudes to SET and in particular identified: what they considered were the main ways they influence their children, what parents thought about their children pursuing education and employment in SET and what their information needs were. Conclusions of this research showed that parents did not feel at all informed about SET careers and had limited knowledge about the wide scale and broad scope of career opportunities in SET. Parents also felt their information on careers was outdated and were unsure where to look apart from a general search on the internet. Parents from across all the groups were unclear about whether SET jobs were in demand or not and that there were national shortages in SET jobs. Many felt that in their locality there were few opportunities for SET jobs. Overall, parents were not sure about SET being an appropriate or a desirable long-term career option for their children. Further information: For more information on the Construction Skills Report click here. For a summary of the ETB research view summary. For the full ETB report view full report. |
Research: STEM: the Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths Supply Chain Topic: Skills Date: March 2007 Source: CIHE Overview: The Council for Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE) have launched a new review into the science, technology, engineering, maths supply chain. This review paints a bleak picture, arguing that businesses in the UK will face a shortage of qualified employees within the next few years unless Government funding is found for the development of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects. The review, produced in association with LogicaCMG, a leading European IT and business services company, focuses on these strategically important subjects. It examines the actions taken to implement previous Government commissioned reports on increasing the supply of STEM graduates and what further steps might be taken. ETB linked activity: Some of the recommendations in the report closely align with current ETB activities (the ETB is represented on the CIHE Policy Forum). One of the key recommendations is that teachers need to update their knowledge of real world science. With the Learning and Skills Network the ETB has launched a DTI funded placement scheme for teachers and lecturers. This aims to update their skills by placing them in companies for 6-12 weeks. The first placements on this scheme are now commencing in SEGA UK, Trend BMS, and First Group. We will be evaluating these placements and produce a report in November 2007. Poor careers advice is also mentioned as a deterrent. The ETB would corroborate this by means of its own careers research which it has previously undertaken and which formed the driver for its on-going commitment to providing high quality careers information. Further information: Download the full CIHE report here. |
ETB Skills Conference Diary Note Delivering Vocational Skills the Engineering and Technology Board 2nd Skills Conference will be on Wednesday 10th October 2007 at the Victoria Park Plaza, London SW1. More details will follow. |
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