星空传媒

As someone who has been directly involved in construction degree education for many years, I was extremely disappointed by your March issue (鈥楧eath of a Degree鈥�). The headline comments will have succeeded in damaging the reputation of many excellent undergraduate programmes in the UK. If, as the headline states, 鈥淜ids don鈥檛 want it鈥�, why were there 2,500 acceptances in 2001/2, and why are there 35 active courses, 28 of which are growing or holding steady? If, as another headline states, 鈥渆mployers don鈥檛 rate it鈥�, why, at Leeds Metropolitan University, do leading construction employers actively seek to recruit our students for sandwich placements and permanent appointments after graduation?

The articles also largely ignore another key indicator of the popularity of Construction Management as a career 鈥� that of recruitment to Higher National Diplomas. At Leeds Metropolitan University, the HND in 星空传媒 Studies has never been as buoyant as it is at present, with 25 students on first year full-time, and 45 on first year part-time; the latter demonstrating the positive attitude of employers to construction higher education. I know of several other HND programmes which are equally successful.

At Leeds Metropolitan University, and many other Universities, CIOB鈥檚 rigorous accreditation procedures have helped ensure the provision of excellent Construction Management degree programmes which will continue to provide capable graduates. The development of a conversion route for non-cognate graduates to supplement the supply of CM graduates is highly appropriate. It is a pity that Construction Manager鈥檚 cover headline 鈥楧eath of a Degree鈥� was framed as a statement, rather than a question because the answer is a definite 鈥淣o!!鈥� 鈥� the Construction Management degree is most certainly alive and well.