Margaret Gildea, Executive Vice President of Human Resources –
Operations and Skills and Capability
Rolls-Royce plc
The Diploma will make a difference to recruitment at
Rolls-Royce
The Diploma in Engineering is an important new
qualification for 14-19 year olds designed to give young people a
foundation in engineering principles. Developed by industry,
the Diploma is a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical
application that will prepare young people for entry into work,
apprenticeships or further study.
Rolls-Royce was represented on the Employer Steering
Group that led the development of the Diploma with
Semta.
Increased awareness, flexible route
Margaret Gildea is committed to the Diploma as
a means of reaching more young people with clear messages about
engineering. “It should help to bring a real awareness to
young people of what engineering is about in a way that is not just
vocational or academic but embraces both,” she says.
“The Diploma is important because it gives
people from age 14, whatever their ability, a route they can take
through engineering that will get them to where they might want to
get.”
Recruitment boost
People with diplomas will make a difference to
recruitment at Rolls-Royce. The company plans to recruit
those with the Level 2 Diploma as apprentices at age 16.
The Level 3 Diploma will contribute to its
recruitment of those aged 18+ onto Foundation Degrees and into
technical staff roles. Because the academic content is strong
enough to get diploma holders into a good university, it will also
boost the pool of top graduates from which Rolls-Royce
recruits.
Workplace learning
As part of the Diploma, students will learn
about the application of science, maths and communication in the
workplace. Margaret believes this focus will provide a richer
experience than the traditional work experience. She says:
“For some students it will be what brings those subjects to life –
because they can see how they can be applied.”
Rolls-Royce envisages making its training
workshops available for Diploma students. Helping young
people see what a clean and modern environment the company provides
should help attract more young entrants, and a higher proportion of
girls – Margaret hopes.
Benefit to employers
Margaret believes that employers will
benefit greatly from the improved skills and education standards
the Diploma will bring. “I hope, through Rolls-Royce's
involvement in the Diploma's development, employers of all sizes
will have the chance to recognise the increased capacity for
employing young people with a relevant grounding in the world of
engineering." with young people through its Young Apprenticeship
delivery, the company envisages making its training workshops
available as a safe, protected environment for Diploma students.
Helping young people see what a clean and modern environment the
company provides should help attract more young entrants – and a
higher proportion of girls – it is hoped. Keeping close to teachers
is also important, according to Margaret. “The more teachers
understand the world of engineering by seeing how things really
are, the more chance we have of them sharing their enthusiasm with
students. We’re looking for high ability: getting that message into
schools and colleges is very valuable.”
Overall, Margaret believes that employers throughout the sector
will benefit greatly from the improved skills and education
standards the Diploma will bring. “I hope, through Rolls-Royce's
involvement in and contribution to the Diploma's development, we
can ensure it will deliver on its potential for the sector, and
employers of all sizes will have the chance to recognise the
increased capacity for employing young people with a relevant
grounding in the world of engineering."
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