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The Source at Meadowhall is playing its part for Sheffield in a major new government development that will change the face of education in England.
The Source at Meadowhall, is helping to develop the government's new flagship learning programme, the Diploma in Retail, which will be piloted in schools from 2010.
The Diploma in Retail is one of 14 new Diplomas that will allow 14-19 years olds to study a broad programme of learning, mixing together practical skills and qualifications with work experience and more traditional learning such as GCSEs and A-Levels. It will give young people the chance to explore different areas of learning that will keep their options open whilst achieving the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for.
Fourteen Diplomas are being created in a number of key industry sectors that are important to the UK economy and employ hundreds of thousands of people. The Source is part of the Diploma Development Group (DDP) that is working on the Diploma in Retail.
Retail employs 30,500 people in Sheffield and is the largest private sector employer in the UK with an annual turnover of £265 billion and employing three million people in 290,000 businesses.
Dianne Wainwright, Centre Manager at The Source, said,
‘The Source feels privileged to be able to contribute towards the development of the retail diploma. It will be a great opportunity for youngsters and retailers in our area to benefit from the qualification.'
The Diploma is being coordinated by Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail which aims to monitor and improve skill levels in the industry. It is responsible for developing National Occupational Standards that form the basis of all vocational qualifications and endorsing those qualifications as fit for purpose.
Anne Seaman, chief operating officer of Skillsmart Retail, said,
‘The Diploma in Retail represents one of the biggest changes to education in England in the last 50 years. It is a unique blend of theoretical and practical learning that gives young people the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge valued by employers helping them to learn more about retail careers.'
She added, ‘The Source at Meadowhall is playing an extremely important part in making sure that the Diploma in Retail meets the criteria required to make it a success for pupils, parents and retailers alike.'
For further information, please contact Dianne Wainwright at The Source on 0114 263 5655 or email dianne.wainwright@meadowhall.co.uk