A half day symposium was held at Jury's Inn, Birmingham on Thursday 26th
September 2002 to consider and discuss the changes taking place in part-time
education and training in materials. It was organised by the UK Centre for
Materials Education, with the help of the Incorporated Engineers and Technicians
Committee of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.
The objectives of the meeting were three-fold:
- Review the current provision for part-time vocational education and
training in materials
- Hear about impending changes to the structure or training and education
- Discuss the best way to secure and develop education and training
at sub-degree level
Almost all of those organisations offering sub-degree education and training
in polymer and metals technology were represented at the meeting. Also
present were representatives of the two main awarding bodies - City &
Guilds and BTEC/Edexcel. A number of short presentations were made covering:
- The new modern apprenticeship in metals processing, in which the Technical
Certificate is being awarded by City & Guilds' Process Industries
qualification
- The new advanced modern apprenticeship in Polymer Technology, in which
the Technical Certificate is formed from selected units in the new National
Certificate in Polymer Technology being developed by Edexcel
- Learning material on aluminium technology developed by the Aluminium
Federation at a variety of levels, including the vocational level
- The new National Certificate in Polymer Technology
- Developments in school level qualifications designed to encourage
the study of science and technology, such as the new GCSE in manufacturing
and the new A level in Applied Science
- The range of higher level qualifications available through City &
Guilds, including a new Higher Professional Diploma in Engineering.
Finally, those present took part in a discussion which highlighted a
number of issues that threaten the continued existence of materials as
a sub-degree subject. Those present are to be congratulated on the tone
of this discussion. The temptation to paint a doom and gloom scenario
was avoided, and the debate was undertaken in a positive way, raising
issues without apportioning blame and without crowing about success. Indeed,
delegates clearly approached the meeting in a spirit of good will, and
went away having strengthened existing relationships, established new
contacts and having discussed collaborative action.
As well as the informal actions that are expected to result from the
meeting, a small working party is being formed to develop and co-ordinate
an action plan for the sector. It will focus on activities designed to
address the following issues:
- The industry and the profession have a low profile in schools and
with the careers service.
- Career prospects appear unattractive to young people.
- As a result, industry finds it difficult to recruit the number of
apprentices required.
- This impacts of the providers of training and education. The numbers
of students on part-time courses is low & threatens the viability
of courses.
- Industry and students are confused by the large number of educational
pathways. The widespread use of acronyms adds to the confusion.
- Articulation and pathways are required to allow school leavers to
develop as apprentices to the highest achievable level.
- However, emerging gaps in metals technology education framework threaten
this aspiration.
For more information please contact John Wilcox on +44 (0)1555 773301
or john.wilcox@iom3.org
