Select Committee support for collaborative working between Further and Higher Education is right approach, says million+
million+ today welcomed the Innovation, Universities, Skills and Science Committee report – ‘Re-skilling for recovery: after Leitch’.
Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+ said, “The Committee’s support for a collaborative approach between HE and FE confirms our evidence that this is the best approach for learners. The competition previously promoted by Government in terms of Foundation Degree Awarding Powers really has no place in an educational system where the focus has to be on progression and the up-skilling and re-skilling that the Leitch Report recommended.
“There are numerous examples of successful partnerships between HE and FE where higher level learning is being undertaken very effectively in partnership with the expertise of a University. However, without further Government funding for additional student numbers the expansion of opportunities to access higher education will be stymied.
“Many Universities offer flexible and employer-focused courses and we share MPs’ concerns about the commitment and interest of employers in co-funding students. The viability of the Government’s co-funding model is likely to come under even more pressure in the recession.”
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- For more information please contact Gemma Tumelty, Public Affairs Officer on 0207 7171657 or 07900 277819.