As the Sector Skills Council for BSE, SummitSkills focuses much of its effort on promoting the importance of career progression, so that entrants to the sector and existing learners are aware of the opportunities BSE has to offer. This does, however, need to be communicated to those outside the sector who are likely to be unaware of all of the attractive opportunities available, from craft technician through to graduate and professional. A proportion of this responsibility lies with employers, who have a significant role to play as major influencers on trainees and prospective entrants to the sector.

In order to raise awareness of the options available within the BSE sector, SummitSkills has been heavily involved with the development of numerous tools that promote its wide range of careers using a variety of media, which provide easy access for both employers and learners.

Careers map poster

SummitSkills has created a BSE careers map in the form of an A2-sized poster that presents progression routes and training options in the sector. Produced to help encourage new entrants, the map summarises progression routes and demonstrates the many career options available, from apprenticeship level through to Chartered Engineer.

The map tracks typical routes through a building services engineering career; from entry, through structured training and workplace experience, to professional qualifications and careers. It also summarises core craft, technical and engineering job descriptions, providing a flavour of what the work would entail and assisting learners in selecting the right path to reflect their individual interests.

Interactive careers map

With so many students and employers using the Internet as a source of information, SummitSkills has recently launched an interactive web-based version of its careers map poster. Users can find all the information they need at the click of a button.

The online careers map enables individuals to track their way through the wide range of exciting and challenging career opportunities. It displays examples of training routes, from apprenticeships and NVQs, to degrees and masters degrees, and the progression routes through the sector to possible careers at the end.

Users can specify what stage of training they are currently at or if they are considering a career change. A brief job description of each of the careers in the sector is also available, along with information on the benefits of continued professional development, and where to find professional institutions linked to the sector.

The benefit of this interactive tool is that users can navigate at their own leisure and dip into relevant information as and when they require. As with the hard copy poster, it provides snippets of job summaries, but the interactive version enables users to engage with peers who have made similar career decisions, and gives examples of routes other learners have opted for.

Careers DVD

Soon to be launched is a careers DVD which will feature several sector employees, all at varying stages of their career. Each details their progression route, reasons for joining the sector, what is involved in their day-to-day role and future prospects. The work-study balance is also addressed, enabling trainees to appreciate how their time will be spent. Providing real-life examples of what others have achieved and sharing experiences is likely to have a greater impact on entrants to the sector, broadening their horizons on what is available and what can be accomplished.

Interactive careers game

SummitSkills also recently launched an interactive careers game - Summit Holiday Village. This enables users to experience a day in the life of a building services engineer, making real decisions that impact on costs and the environment. The game is designed to highlight sustainability and renewables, as players navigate through a fantasy holiday village, testing their skills and knowledge along the way.

By providing these experiences, entrants to the sector will have a better understanding of their chosen career path and the heights they can aspire to. It can also be argued that such software could help improve the retention of trainees on sector courses, as through the game they have a more realistic idea of what to expect from a career in building services engineering. Visit www.summitskills.org.uk/careers to take up the Summit Holiday Village challenge.

Diplomas on the horizon

Career progression has been high on the government's agenda of late, with 17 new diplomas for 14-19 year olds scheduled for introduction this year, with the first five from September.

Two of these are of relevance to the BSE sector: Construction & the Built Environment; and Engineering. Within these subjects there will be three levels available and students will be able to switch between the different types of qualification or between diplomas and other qualification types. For example, those opting to take a Higher Diploma from 14 to 16 can then choose to take A-Levels, pursue an apprenticeship or an International Baccalaureate. They may also do GCSEs and progress to an Advanced Diploma at 16. GCSEs or A-Levels can be taken as part of a Diploma and alongside it.

For employers, there are several benefits to getting involved with Diplomas. Primarily, they will be investing in candidates who demonstrate the universal skills for a successful business. Diplomas reflect real-life work situations, so equipping future employees with problem-solving attributes, communications skills, and the ability to work independently, and as part of a team, will be a huge advantage.

As an employer, becoming involved may only take a small investment of your time. Contributions could include:

• Giving talks and lectures to enrich the curriculum.
• Setting real-life business problems for students to solve.
• Providing resources, equipment, and use of premises.
• Offering work experience placements for students, and work shadowing for teachers.
• Helping design curriculum at national level.

UCAS and the QCA has recently confirmed the value of the government's new Diplomas, recommending that:

• Foundation level is equivalent to five GCSEs grade A* to E
• Higher level is equivalent to seven GCSEs grade A* to C
• Advanced level is equivalent to 3.5 A-Level grade A* to E

Such is the government's belief in the introduction of the new Diplomas; it is investing £110 million to support joint working between schools and colleges, investing a further £45 million in teacher training to sustain the roll out. An additional £28 million cash injection will also see schools and colleges teaching these qualifications receive an extra £1,000 per Diplomas student.

Support material available

To receive an alert when the careers DVD is available, please register at www.summitskills.org.uk/register. SummitSkills' online careers pages contain a raft of information on entrance to the sector and its array of opportunities. Visit www.summitskills.org.uk/careers for details.

To download a copy of the careers map, visit www.summitskills.org.uk/careersmap or tel 01908 303960. For general information and queries concerning careers, call SummitSkills' careers helpline on 08000 688 336.