Here’s to you… CIOB graduate programme proves seductive

The Graduate Diploma Programme began in 2003 with 11 hand-picked non-cognates, recently employed at a few participating companies. By last year it had nearly doubled its intake, with 21 enrolled and nearly 100 enquiries from interested graduates.

“We’ve demonstrated that with well thought out postgraduate education, training and experience a graduate of any discipline can make a positive impact on the industry,” said Michael Brown, CIOB deputy chief executive.

The programme has been designed by a consortium of universities, employers, the CIOB and CITB-ConstructionSkills to meet the needs of employers who want to recruit non-cognate graduates to construction-related jobs. The University of Greenwich and Leeds Metropolitan are involved in Module 1, with all other modules delivered by the University of Central Lancashire or Anglia Polytechnic University.

The current format, preferred by employers, is based on 12 one-week residential blocks, followed by six to eight weeks work-based study and assignments. Each module runs over a three-month period (four per year). These enable graduates to relate theory to practice. The range of candidates covers a number of CIOB disciplines.

The programme has grown steadily. A group of 18 was recruited in October 2004 and in 2005 the course will be over-subscribed.

There are 29 employers supporting students including: Willmott Dixon, Laing O’Rourke, Costain, Balfour Beatty, HBG, Kier, ROK, Multiplex, McAlpine and Carillion, plus many smaller companies involved in construction management, house building and surveying.

Due to the increasing demand for places on the Graduate Diploma Programme, the CIOB will be inviting other accredited universities to get involved. The CIOB will also be contacting universities to discover what existing Masters programmes the Diploma may allow access to for those graduates interested in progression.