David Bell, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Children, Schools and Families, has agreed to be the Central Government Champion for the new 14-19 Diploma in Public Services qualification.
The Diploma is an exciting new qualification for young people aged 14 to 19 to better prepare them for the world of work whether via college, university or directly into employment. Mr Bell joins at a vital time for the Diploma in Public Services as it is prepared for first teaching in September 2010.
Accepting the appointment, Mr Bell said: "The Diploma in Public Services provides a great opportunity for Central Government to play an active part in developing its future employees. Everyone stands to benefit as those young people completing the Diploma in Public Services will have the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for entry into a career in Central Government or onto Higher Education. The flexibility of this qualification is its strength and Diploma recipients will be better placed to make informed decisions on their future because of their experiences gained with Central Government employees.
"Public sector employers will benefit by attracting young and talented people at an earlier age. Employers can increase the diversity and creativity of their workforce by actively engaging with the new Diploma in Public Services."
By becoming a member of the Diploma Employer Champions Network (DECN) he will help to ensure that employers get a clear understanding of the 14-19 Diploma benefits and opportunities by encouraging and supporting further long-term employer involvement.
Covering careers within the Justice sector, Health sector, Central Government, Local Government and Housing, the Diploma in Public Services is one of 17 new Diplomas, designed to combine essential skills and knowledge, hands-on experience and employer-supported learning, to prepare young people for the world of work.
With a background in education David Bell acknowledges the importance of developing skills such as teamwork and self-management alongside functional skills in English, Maths and ICT.
The Diploma is being developed by the Diploma Development Partnership (DDP), in collaboration with employers to ensure its relevance and value. The DDP is led by Skills for Justice, the Sector Skills Council for Justice and safer communities, working in partnership with Government Skills, Skills for Health, Council for Administration and SkillsPlusUK.
For more information about the Diploma in Public Services please contact Tonya Kennedy, Communications Lead for the Diploma in Public Services, on 0114 231 7373 or email:
www.publicservicesdiploma.co.uk
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