Government Skills
5 March 2010
The full text of a speech by Iain Wright, MP for Hartlepool, on ' Making the Case for Diplomas', delivered on 23 February 2010 at the America Sq Conference Centre, London:
“Thanks Hugh for that introduction. I'm so pleased to be here today, and I welcome this opportunity to set out why I believe that diplomas are absolutely central to the future of our education system.
I'd also like to thank Jenny for her insightful remarks. The SSAT have been essential partners in our 14-19 development programme and I'd like to thank her and the SSAT for their continued support.
Now – this morning I'd like to talk a little bit about inspiration – and about why we should see diplomas as an essential part of the future of the education system of this country.
Because, of course, people find their inspiration in many different ways. Some, find inspiration in poetry. Others in film. And some people, find inspiration from music.
Now, despite having four young children, I don't know the first thing about any music produced since the early 90s. I'm still listening to New Order and the Smiths.
I couldn't tell you the difference between Biggie and Tupac. I couldn't tell you Eminem's real name. I've just discovered that 3 is the magic number and that Run DMC isn't a new event at the Winter Olympics.
But one new song I do know quite well, as you might have guessed, is the track that up and coming artist Kano made for the Diploma campaign – More Than One Way.
I'm sure you've all heard it, and seen the Diplomas' advert, which shows a group of students who used what they were learning through the Diploma, to help produce the official music video.
What I found truly inspiring, is what I've found meeting Diploma students all over the country. That in their capacity to study a wide range of subjects that mix academic learning and practical, hands on experience, they're able to find their own individual way to success.
Or to put it another way, as Kano says: “Now or never, dream big, succeed. There's more than one way to make it out of these streets.”
Now – I see Diplomas in terms of two imperatives that we face for education in this country.
On the one hand, we have a moral imperative – to help every child and young person make the most of their talents, and to ensure no barrier is allowed to hold them back.
Whether that's where they live, their parents' income and background or a special educational need or disability.
On the other, we face an economic imperative. Because we know that our country can only thrive and succeed in the 21st century if young people get the skills and qualifications they need to save for a pension, pay their mortgage and get a good job.
That's why this government has brought in the biggest changes in education and training for a generation. Overseeing a revolution in 14 to 19 education, and raising the participation age to 18.
So that every young person – whatever their background – can profit from education and training that benefits both them and our economy, well into the future.
In addition, of course, to better prepare young people for professional life, and to motivate them to stay in learning all the way up to 18, we've introduced a raft of options on top of Diplomas so that young people can succeed, whether their strengths are academic, vocational or both.
For example, we've introduced foundation learning, and we've reinvigorated apprenticeships.
So that through our reformed curriculum all our young people can have a brighter and more prosperous future, and so that our future workforce has the functional and soft skills it requires to drive our economy forward.
To me, Diplomas are an absolutely fundamental pillar of these reforms. They offer young people an engaging style of applied learning, across a wide choice of courses that suit their interest and learning style.
And despite what we might hear from some detractors, the Diplomas are working. For instance, the total number of Diploma students, as shown from local authority funding returns, is now standing at well over 36,000. That is treble last year's numbers.
Over 80 per cent of local authorities will deliver five or more lines this year – a strong indication of serious progress.
And there are now over 200 Diploma Employer Champions, from both the public and private sectors – such as Brendon Riley, the Chief Exec of IBM.
We can, I think, be extremely proud of these achievements, and their ability to create and foster that inspiration I've been talking about.
And I'd like to assure you today, that this Government remains absolutely committed to building on this work, and investing in the Diploma.
We believe they represent the best answer to ensure a brighter future for our young people and our economy.
And that's why we have set such an ambitious, but achievable target. That by 2013, every young person will have an entitlement to study a Diploma.
For 14 to 16 year olds, this means an entitlement to the first 14 lines, and for 16 to 19 year olds, this means an entitlement to all 17 lines.
We know that this is ambitious, and we know that it will involve a lot hard work. But together, it is achievable. And the young people of our country will be all the better for it. So let me take this opportunity to acknowledge all your efforts and thank you for your hard work for our young people.
Because whether it's in hair and beauty studies, product design, construction, retail business, public service or making music videos; through the Diploma, and through your hard work, our young people can be better prepared for a better life and a brighter future.”
