The Diploma is a unique qualification for young people of all abilities who have an interest in sector-related learning. The Diploma qualification and each of its Lines of Learning are employer-verified qualifications. They have been designed in partnership with employers and in response to their views.

Diplomas will:

• offer high-quality, credible, industry-related learning
• provide real opportunities for learners to practise the skills they will need when they enter employment and higher education.
• promote diversity, opportunity and inclusion for all learners.

The Diplomas have:

• a consistent and explicit focus on learning encouraging young people to take increasing responsibility for their own learning
• coherent and engaging learning activities based on the experiential learning cycle.

They recognise the value of young people's own experiences, within and beyond their work for the qualification.

Diploma programmes include:

• general learning
• applied learning
• theoretical and practical learning
• sector-related skills
• generic skills.

The Diplomas are intended to provide the essential knowledge and skills for young people to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and work.

Learners will have the opportunity to demonstrate the quality of their learning and skills in a project that they will choose for themselves.

The Diploma prepares young people for a range of progression routes. These can be within the sector they have studied, within another sector or in general education. By following the curriculum programme for a Diploma, learners can develop the knowledge, skills and attributes expected by both employers and higher education.