What the Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design (MPD) includes

Students following the Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design (MPD) will focus on a variety of different areas of learning and skills development:

Principal Learning is the sector-specific learning which relates to manufacturing and product design. Young people develop detailed knowledge and the skills relevant to the various manufacturing sectors. They are also given the opportunity to apply these skills to work based roles and situations through doing at least 10 days work experience.

Additional and Specialist Learning gives young people the opportunity to choose from a range of learning options selected by employers as being beneficial to working in the different manufacturing sectors. These include health and safety and quality assurance, as well as many other subject areas. Students can choose from a wide range of options including vocational courses, GCSEs and A levels which can link with a job role, Apprenticeship or university course.

All students following the Diploma in MPD will develop Functional Skills in English, maths and ICT. They will complete functional skills assessments in these three areas and this will demonstrate to employers that they have the core skills they require.

Young people also develop Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills which are transferable and can be applied to a range of different situations. For example teamwork and organisational skills are essential in the workplace. Through completing a project, students learn about being creative and working independently.