§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to ensure that the new diploma of higher education qualification incorporates some training in skills that have vocational relevance; and what steps he has or will be taking to inform employers of the nature and status of this qualification.
§ Mr. MulleyThe design and content of Dip HE courses are matters for the individual institutions concerned and for validating bodies, but it is the intention that both general and specialised courses should be made available. My Department has been in preliminary consultation about the diploma with the CBI, with members of the Standing Conference of244W Employers of Graduates and with representatives of several professional bodies. There will be no substantial number of diploma holders leaving Dip HE courses until 1977. As the number of Dip HE courses available grows I shall consider what further steps should be taken to publicise the qualification amongst employers and the professions. The providing institutions may also be expected to be intouch with employers in their area.