Government accused of ‘withholding’ Diploma data

08 October 2008

The Government is withholding data on the total number of students taking the Construction and Built Environment Diploma, according to the Civil Engineering Contractors Association.

CECA claims the Department for Children, Schools and Families had promised to publish the figures in September, but was now refusing to do so until December. ‘We need to know the numbers of students taking the Diplomas so that the industry can arrange quality work experience and prepare for delivery generally,’ said Joe Johnson, CECA’s director of training.

‘The whole rational for the Diplomas is that they are a vocational alternative to the more traditional academic route. ‘Thus, if the vocational element is poor, it brings into question the validity of the qualification.’

He said the numbers were also needed to ensure that all those who needed to be had been Criminal Records Bureau checked. Surveyor reported in May that 3,054 were registered to take the Construction and Built Environment Diploma, but the DCSF has not confirmed how many students actually started the course.

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