The news of education secretary Michael Gove’s backtracking on the plan to institute an English Baccalaureate Certificate hit the wires yesterday. But, for Britain’s design industry, the victory will be long-lasting.

The lobbying campaign #IncludeDesign fought to prohibit the EBacc on the grounds that it would exclude creative subjects from the national curriculum. BIMA, which works closely with GCSE-aged children was also pleased with the Government’s decision.

BIMA’s Digital Day, or D-Day, sent design agencies into nearly 60 schools to advise and challenge students on design, mobile, social media, coding and multimedia. More than 1800 students who took part in the widely successful programme.

Andrew Henning, head of education at BIMA, says, “The decision now means that Design & Technology and Art & Design will remain valid top tier subjects. BIMA will now be working to ensure that the curriculums in these subjects are matched to the skills needed in today’s world. We want GSCE and A level pupils innovating and creating digital solutions as part of their recognised course work.”

Comms professionals already note the education system somewhat lax focus on design, programming and the digital and creative subjects that make up a sizeable portion of the British communications industry. The EBacc would have risked losing a generation of design and tech professionals, according to #IncludeDesign.

The communications industry has worked with schools and students to provide otherwise unmet skills and qualifications that would be of use to future creatives and comms professionals. The PRCA and CIPR offer apprenticeships and qualifications schemes and BIMA’s D-Day initiative will expand this year.

To read more about academics and communications, see the following links:

http://www.communicatemagazine.co.uk/news/4102-no-landing-craft-in-sight-at-bima-style-d-day

http://www.communicatemagazine.co.uk/news/4339-apprenticeship-scheme-going-strong

http://www.communicatemagazine.co.uk/news/4433-students-and-awards-prompt-growth