Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design
Diploma champions
Alex
"I chose the Diploma in MPD because it included learning about Business and Enterprise, which I think is a great combination for a future career."
Jake
"I enjoy the Diploma course; it's a fun, practical way to learn that reflects real life."
Michael
"The MPD Diploma is different because we go on a variety of visits to companies and meet lots of employers, which means that we have a good idea of how products are actually made in industry."
Jack
"I like the Diploma in MPD because it's a huge step towards my future career in manufacturing. I particularly enjoyed our working visits to Caterpillar and Rolls-Royce."
The Industry
Manufacturing is one of the largest and most diverse sectors in the whole of the UK. It includes food and drink, textiles and apparel, processing industries and print, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, polymers and engineering.
Employing around 4.3 million people, manufacturing generates two-thirds of what the UK exports every year, and offers a host of exciting career opportunities for young people - from technicians and craftspeople to research and laboratory assistants, marketing directors and quality assurance managers.
If you are motivated, creative, have a grasp of all aspects of manufacturing and can apply your knowledge in a range of different settings, the sector is bursting with potential for personal success.
Build essential skills and experience
The Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design will give you an insight into the fascinating business of manufacturing. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to keep the UK at the forefront of global manufacturing.
What will I learn?
The Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design is built around four main themes:-
Learning can be in any of the five sub-sectors:
How is the Diploma made up?
Principal learning (subject learning you have to do)
At the heart of the Diploma are your core manufacturing and product design subjects. These will teach you the main things you need to know about the sector. You will learn about the issues that are affecting the industry today, how it works and what skills you need to have to work within it.
Additional and specialist learning (choices you can make)
-----Specialist Learning: At each level, you can develop your particular manufacturing and product design interests further by taking more specialist courses relating to your chosen subject and career ambitions. You could, for example, learn about robot technology and how it benefits modern-day manufacturers; or you could delve deeper into sales and marketing, customer service, computer-aided design, corporate social responsibility, maintenance operations or textiles.
-----Additional Learning: You might choose a GCSE or A level in subjects like Chemistry, Physics or Art and Design, which would help you get onto a university course. You can also broaden your course by taking an additional subject that reflects another of your interests and career ambitions - like a language, or a creative subject like Music. Studying a foreign language can be particularly beneficial in a sector with so many international opportunities.
Functional skills in English, Maths and ICT
Like all Diploma students, you will develop a good standard of English, Maths and ICT. These subjects are essential to succeed in any business or learning environment, whether you decide to continue in the manufacturing and product design sector or not.
Personal, learning and thinking skills
All Diploma students will develop personal, learning and thinking skills, such as team-working, creative thinking and self-management. These are vital skills in both life and work, and will be useful to you in the future, no matter which path you take.
Work experience
Your Diploma will give you the opportunity to do at least 10 days' work experience. This is a great way to use the skills you have learnt in the classroom, and experience what work is like from the inside.
Student projects
During your Diploma, you will complete a student project to demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you have learnt. You might decide to compete in the Formula One Technology Challenge, which invites schools and colleges to design and manufacture CO2-powered Formula One cars; or you might try your hand at the Schools' Food and Drink Challenge.
What a Diploma will lead to
A Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Development will give you the skills you need for either university or work, and is a first step towards a career in the sector.
It could lead you to a university degree or to further training and employment in a variety of roles, working in areas like process and maintenance operations, laboratory work for a pharmaceutical company or as a quality control assistant.
However, the Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design doesn't mean you have to opt for a career in this sector. Because a Diploma teaches a mix of subjects, it will give you the skills that will be welcomed by colleges, universities and employers, no matter what you choose to do.
"The Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design promises to deliver not only an excellent educational background, but also the skills and abilities we look for in our employees. We are looking forward to seeing talented young people in the market with the skills we need clearly identified and developed."
Jonathan Cooper, Technical Training Manager, Cadbury Trebor Bassett.
Want to find out more?
To find out more about the Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design, speak to your teacher or careers adviser. You can also find more information about Diplomas on these websites:
www.direct.gov.uk
www.connexions-direct.com
www.manufacturingdiploma.co.uk