Human resources professionals need to be involved immediately in the practical development of the workplace diplomas set to replace A-levels, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has insisted.
Schools secretary Ed Balls yesterday said the diplomas could become the “jewell in the crown” of the UK education system.
They will be on offer to 14- to 19-year-olds at 900 schools and colleges from next year in subjects from hair and beauty to sciences.
Martyn Sloman, learning and development adviser at the CIPD, said: “We have long argued that learning needs to be better geared to the workplace, and that different routes to qualifications need to be recognised.
“However, it is absolutely vital that government works actively with employers from the earliest design stage of the proposed new vocational qualifications – particularly learning and development and HR professionals.”
