Specialised Diplomas: Business

Mr. Hayes
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the procedure is for businesses applying to participate in delivering diploma courses.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry
There are many ways that employers can get involved with the diploma. Principally, they can help deliver work-related learning, including, but not restricted to, offering work experience.

Information on which diplomas are being delivered in each local authority area is available via the DCSF website. Employers can contact an Education Business Partnership Organisation (EBPO) which cover all areas of the country and exist to help employers and education to work together or, if they wish, employers can contact schools and colleges direct.

In addition to this, the Diploma Employers Champions Network (DECN) has been set up to encourage and support long-term employer involvement in the diplomas. The network is led by Sir Alan Jones of Toyota and consists of volunteer champions from a full range of employers across the English regions, including employers like Leeds city council, Vodafone, BT, Nsure, Hyatt Regency, Compass Group and Rolls-Royce.

Contact information about the Diploma Employers Champions Network is available through the DCSF website.