Improving Recruitment and Retention in the Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in

ConstructionBy :Simon Cummings

Aim / scope / objective of Management Project

Aim – Identify the Issues relating to the poor recruitment, retention and achievement on the level 3 Construction Course

Scope – Investigate the possible causes for the poor RRA and look to develop a strategy to reverse the trend

Justification for area of investigation

An investigation of the Level 3 BTEC Construction course Self Evaluation Report statistics identifies a serious concern.

The numbers of students enrolling on the course has dropped significantly in the past 5 years and the retention and achievement performance levels are also at an unacceptable level.

Justification for area of investigation

Over recent years recruitment on the level 3 programme has reduced and retention has been challenging, this has directly impacted on funding to the School.

The cost to the college for every level 3 construction student not enrolled is approximately £5440. Thus a drop from 90 students in 08/09 to 34 in 13/14 is £304,640 per year. Poor retention on the level 3 programme reduces the opportunity to progress to subsequent levels.

Year No

Enrolled

at start

Retained

to end

Retention

%

Achieved

partial

Achieved

full

Total

achievement

08/09 90 48 53.33% 26 21 52.22%

09/10 38 19 50% 2 27 76.32%

10/11 34 19 55.88% 11 9 58.8%

11/12 24 14 58.33% 12 3 62.5%

12/13 34 17 50%      

ResearchSurvey of the colleges in Northern Ireland

Have the numbers enrolled on the course dropped in recent years?

Yes 4 100%

No 0 0%

ResearchSurvey of the colleges in Northern Ireland

If "yes" by approximately how much?

0-10% 0 0%

11-20% 0 0%

31-40% 4 100%

41-50% 0 0%

51-60% 0 0%

60+ % 0 0%

Research

Survey of the colleges in Northern Ireland

Are you experiencing problems retaining students on the programme?

Yes 4 100%

No 0 0%

Research

Interviews– STAFF– QUALTY DEPARTMENT– STUDENTS– MARKETING– SCHOOL LINKS MANAGER– STAKEHOLDERS

GIS

Decline in construction industry since 08-09

Poor image of construction industry

Lack of information available on course

Poor marketing/ promotion of course

Change in course requirements for full award from 15 to 18 units (edexcel)

Demographics 16-19

Secondary and grammar schools retaining students

Unable to get direct access to school kids

Circumstances contributing to decline in Statistics

Ards Down Lisburn North Down

2013 1010 985 1681 912

2014 990 1020 1708 916

2015 996 1009 1673 919

2016 954 920 1672 914

2017 929 898 1507 819

100

300

500

700

900

1100

1300

1500

1700

Number of people aged 16 years old 2013-2017

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Figure 1 Number of 16 year olds 2013-2017

Findings and available options

Option 1- No longer offer the level 3 Construction course

Option 2 - Leave the course as it is do nothing

Option 3 - “All in” Embrace the data coming out from the research project be pro-active in marketing the course

This Option highlights the great work the staff are currently doing but enables them to use the various other sections of the college such as

- school partnerships

- marketing

to promote the course.

-It also will look at streamlining the course to make it as attractive as possible for the students.

Why I have chosen Option 3

Benefits of Option 3 This will create an improved curriculum offer for students

create a clear pathway for students to progress

provide much more information for students on what is involved in the course and the advantages of pursuing a career in the Construction Industry.

create more interest in the other courses offered such as the level 2 and Level 5 full time programmes.

The staff will have time to reflect on the great work that they do and help them feel more positive about promoting the programme.

Action Plan

Stage 1 Short Term

 

Update course descriptor on website

promote course through website activity (site visits etc) (celebrate our successes)

Promote European Work placement Malta 2014

Attend school visits when possible

Action PlanStage 2 Medium Term

placement opportunity in Europe

Produce a video to promote course (can be shown at open days) on the website

Produce an infographic (statistics pathways for progression)

Work with marketing to promote course on community radio

Offer the course as two separate 1 year courses

Rewriting of the SER using evaluative language and paying attention to the statistics

AHOS to attend course team meetings at all campuses

Action PlanStage 3 Long Term

Look at changing name of course

Monitor recruitment more rigorously

Look at changing content (add CAD??)

Look at reducing the course from 18 to 12 units

Actions completed

Website Descriptor Updated

European Work Placement Opportunities created

Improved links with marketing

Attended school careers talks

Measure Impact of Project

The impact of the recommendations identified in this project will be most obviously quantitatively measured through the enrolment figures on September 14 and also by the retention and achievement statistics produced in the SER.

Summary

Participation in this CMI project has been very challenging and enjoyable

Identified the possible causes of the decline

Prepared an action plan to rectify the problem.

Any Questions?