Structure of the Diploma

 The three principal learning themes which make up the Diploma are as follows:

Theme A The productive and working environments

Central to this theme are the components and finite resources of our natural environment, the influences upon them, how they influence us and how these resources are used. The environmental and land-based sector accounts for a large portion of jobs and wealth generation in the national and global economy. This theme will also explore the value of the sector, the diversity of the jobs it offers and the practical skills required by environmental and land-based employers.

Theme B Plants and animals

Plants and animals are an integral part of our environment and the land-based sector. We use plants for commercial, recreational and conservation purposes and animals for production (food), recreation, work or companionship. The theme will also consider the care of plants and the care and welfare of animals, and show how their interdependency is manifest in wildlife, recreational and commercial resources. Where reference is made to wild animals, this covers those living in the wild. Domesticated refers to animals cared for by humans for a wide range of uses including production, companionship, recreation and those kept in captivity.

 
Theme C Developing the sustainable environment

This theme will explore the impact of people and businesses on our environment, the importance of the sustainable use of our finite resources and how sustainable practices can be implemented. The role of people and organisations and the tools and techniques used to monitor and analyse our environments are also investigated.

The Foundation Diploma 

The Foundation level requires 600 guided learning hours (GLHs) and is broadly comparable, in terms of average length of study, to 4-5 GCSEs, grades D-G and provides learners with an innovative and practical programme of study, as follows:

• to explore the environment and how it has been manipulated over time
• to explore how the environment is used in the modern world
• to introduce the value of sustainable resource use and management
• to explore careers, health and safety and the roles of individuals employed within the environmental and land-based sector
• to enable practical skills development.

At Foundation level, specialist learning is very broad and the topics seek to develop learners’ skills in a series of work-related contexts, which offer insights into the range of jobs on offer in each of them. The topics will develop safe working practices and a range of elementary practical skills.

The Higher Diploma 

Higher level requires 800 guided learning hours (GLHs) and is broadly comparable, in terms of average length of study, to 5-6 GCSEs, grades A*-C.  It provides an opportunity to develop and apply a range of practical skills and knowledge for employment in the environmental and land-based sector, and the understanding required for progression into further study.  It delivers a broad understanding and working knowledge of:

• how the characteristics of the environment dictate its use
• the specific job roles, health and safety awareness and skills associated with industries within the environmental and land-based sector
• natural resource availability and use (social and economic)
• the common tools and equipment used within the environmental and land-based sector
• the practical skills requirements and applications within the sector
• environmental management techniques used within the environmental and land-based sector.

At Higher level the specialist learning has been designed to provide three progression routes, enabling learners to select topics and develop their interest in a particular area.  These areas are plants, land-use and recreation, working with animals and food manufacture.  

The Advanced Diploma

Advanced level requires 1,080 guided learning hours (GLHs) and is broadly comparable, in terms of average length of study, to 3 1/2 GCE A Levels.  There is also a Level 3 progression qualification, a subset of the Level 3 Diploma, broadly comparable in terms of average length of study to 2 GCE A Levels.  Its content will be drawn from the full Level 3 Diploma.

Level 3 provides an innovative, practical and motivating programme of study in the context of the environmental and land-based sector, that develops learners’ skills, knowledge and understanding required for progression into technical and professional careers, and further and higher education.  The purpose of a Level 3 Diploma for the environmental and land-based sector is to develop a range of practical, analytical and investigative skills in relation to:

• the social, economic and cultural value and contribution of the environmental and land-based sector to individuals and the community
• the factors and principles influencing the design, creation, maintenance and management of environmental and land-based activities affecting the environment
• the contribution of activities within the environmental and land-based sector to sustainability
• the resourcing and management of business activities in the environmental and land-based sector and the challenges of sustaining these with a finite provision
• the specific job roles, health and safety requirements, and skills associated with employment in the environmental and land-based sector.

At Advanced level, the topics have been designed to form three independent progression routes so the learner can select certain topics to support their chosen career pathway or progression into further or higher education: managing plants, land-use and recreation, working with and managing animals and food manufacture. 

Further definition of the topics and pathways can be found in the Line of Learning Statement.

The Extended Diploma

The Extended Diploma is a recent addition to the Diploma programme, so as yet its details are to be worked out.  However, the number of guided learning hours (GLHs) is expected to be broadly comparable, in terms of length of study, to 4 1/2 GCE A Levels.