Non-cognate pilot scheme is a winner

However, it was only a couple of weeks ago that I had the pleasure of doing the introduction to the first diploma presentation ceremony for those non-cognate graduates who had completed the pilot programme.

When we talk of non-cognates we refer, of course, to graduates whose first degree is something other than construction related. In this case the range of first degrees covered subjects from IT and Irish Studies to Criminology. These graduates, though, had all been recruited by construction companies with the aim of becoming construction professionals.

Over three years, working with our partners the employers, CITB, University of Central Lancashire and Anglian Ruskin University, these graduates have undertaken a postgraduate programme to give them the knowledge needed to progress their careers in the industry. The diploma is accredited as meeting the CIOB’s educational requirements for corporate membership.

What was most striking about this first cohort was their vitality and their enthusiasm for the industry. They had all tried other career options before deciding that construction was for them. They had very positive views about what they were doing and what they thought they could achieve in the industry.

Why is this so important and why does it matter for the institute? Well, for starters, the graduate diploma gives an appropriate route to professional status for people who might have made an ill-informed decision at 17 about where their future lay.

Sure, we had the DMX route, but that is not really appropriate for this group of people. Nor is the NVQ route.

Interestingly, the proportion of women following the graduate diploma route (25%) is also higher than all the other routes (5%). This is significant if we are to genuinely open up the industry to anyone who wants to work in it.

The pilot is now over, there are three more cohorts hard at work and there is a waiting list to join. A distance learning programme is also being developed to further widen the scope for taking part.

From the Institute’s viewpoint, we now have a complete set of routes to professional membership geared to the needs, skills and abilities of those wanting the appropriate professional recognition. The standard to be achieved remains constant, it’s only the route to that standard which is flexible.