星空传媒

The two diplomas 鈥� one in engineering and one in construction and the built environment 鈥� are being developed by Summit Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the building services engineering sector.

The content of the courses includes practical, design and communication skills as well as knowledge on health and safety and sustainability. They will be able to study for the diplomas alongside GCSEs or A-levels, or in place of them, allowing them to progress to further study, university or work.

Keith Marshall, Summit Skills chief executive said. 鈥淭he diplomas are a key development for our sector which will improve understanding of the sector and the quality of people recruited into the sector鈥�.

A total of 10 000 places will be made available for the new qualifications as of September 2008 - 6000 for the engineering diploma and 4000 for the construction and built environment diploma.

Diplomas can be taken at Levels 1, 2 or 3. Level 1 is equivalent to four or five GCSE passes and Level 2, five or six GSCE passes at grade A* to C. Level 3 is equivalent to three A-levels and will be accepted by universities and colleges as well as allowing students to go directly into work if appropriate.