Skills and apprenticeships
New vice-chancellor at London South Bank discusses FE-HE integration, universities’ reputation problem and what he learnt from years at top of Civil Service
Splitting up degree programmes into smaller parts could aid lifelong learning but students risk being seen as dropouts under current system
Tertiary harmonisation agreement in Canberra sees students guaranteed direct university entry and up to a year’s credit if they want to progress
Government commits to raising tuition fees and maintenance loans, with universities expected to deliver higher-quality teaching and more specialised research in return
YouGov survey finds big differences in support for universities across different political parties
Number of applications for every role reaches highest level in two decades, according to annual survey
UK policymakers urged to replace ‘outdated’ system with nationwide digital programme for logging academic credentials
New participation target represents ‘paradigm shift’ in country’s approach to education, but government needs to incentivise FE and HE working together, says report
Tory leader to use conference speech to attack ‘debt trap degrees’ and pledge more money for apprenticeships
Move into DWP opens up opportunities for ‘tailored learning’, says minister, as some express unease over disjointed approach
Education committee says exemption to defunding plans for healthcare courses should be extended to include ‘growth-driving’ industries
University of Cumbria opens doors of new campus in town where only 13 per cent of school leavers continue on to higher education
Lack of clarity over how brief held by Jacqui Smith will be carved up risks delaying crucial policy interventions, critics fear
Recognition of prior learning is feasible at scale if done systematically and could generate new business for universities, experts say
Quango estimates ‘priority’ occupations will need an additional 900,000 workers by end of decade, with universities likely to meet much of the demand
As tertiary education representatives gather for the round table before the round table, university voices remain mostly absent from the main show
Some level 7 health and social care apprenticeships to be funded following concerns about NHS workforce
Proportion of young people planning to attend university full-time has fallen to just over half, survey suggests
English universities with gold or silver award qualify for ‘streamlined’ process that will only take five minutes, says Department for Education
Urgent reforms to funding and regulation needed or universities will struggle to support Labour’s economic ambitions, finds thinktank
Single voice needed to coordinate work on local skills needs, argues new report, which says credit transfer easier to do at regional level
Lack of details on institutional eligibility for new student funding scheme brings more uncertainty to providers, according to Sally Wheeler
More cautious lifelong learning policy ‘inevitable’, say experts, as ministers emphasise phased transition to new system
Coming new English student finance system offers flexible study options for subjects that support Labour’s industrial strategy
JRG and international education top vice-chancellor’s to-do list, as Atec originators riff on ‘harmonisation’
Sutton Trust finds level 7 apprenticeships ‘displace’ funding for lower levels and people from disadvantaged backgrounds
As Skills England begins its work, HEIs must embrace an agenda closely tied to ministers’ ambitions for the economy and the regions, says David Bell
Future growth of UK higher education should not just expand graduate numbers but be tied to regional economic strategies, argues new book
Uncertainty over the future of degree apprenticeship funding endangers success of crucial upskilling programme, says Exeter v-c Lisa Roberts
Government to continue to fund level 7 opportunities for 16-21-year-olds, in move many believe will make little difference
Maintaining opportunities only for young people dismissed as little better than wholesale defunding
Skills minister urges universities to ‘rethink education’ ahead of roll-out of LLE, but plan for more modular learning still being ‘ignored’ by parts of the sector
Flagship programme and dedicated skills funding could help Europe meet labour needs, EUA says
Businesses reliant on highly skilled workers urged to ‘stop taking a back seat’ as UK universities suffer financially
‘Lingering doubts’ over future of higher-level opportunities adds to anxiety for institutions that have become more financially reliant on levy money
Warnings lack of independence could stifle new government body as it attempts to unite sector to tackle skills gaps
VET needs a boost, researcher argues, amid counter-claims that higher education is on the back foot
Social Market Foundation estimates more than ?430 million was spent last year on funding apprenticeships for people who already hold degrees
By working together, England’s FE colleges and universities can create a seamless skills pipeline that benefits everyone, says David Warnes
Letter signed by hundreds of industry and education leaders says government should rethink plans to remove higher-level courses from levy
Skills development is job of whole society, not just universities, conference hears
Risk of Lifelong Learning Entitlement and Growth and Skills Levy working at cross-purposes without more joined-up thinking, finds report
Year-long postponement of lifelong learning finance mechanism presents opportunity to rethink some of its central tenets, say experts
Wales’ groundbreaking Medr must boldly rethink how education and training work for society and the economy, says Ellen Hazelkorn
Prioritising volume over quality by abolishing master’s-level funding will damage the pipeline of skilled workers, says Tyler Harvey-Cowlishaw
UUK’s Blueprint is right to call for greater FE-HE collaboration so both sectors can complement each other’s strengths, say Sam Parrett and Nick Whitehouse
Labour has put skills front and centre of its plan for government but where does the omission of higher apprenticeships from the growth and skills levy leave universities – and how will these skills be funded otherwise?
Conservative Party conference divided on impact of Labour’s rebalancing of skills funding
Businesses encouraged to fund roles equivalent to master’s degree level outside levy system as government focuses on creating new opportunities for younger people
Institutions must focus on creating ‘well-rounded’ individuals equipped with both skills and knowledge needed for technological-driven world, according to academic-turned-politician
Providing skills, creating opportunity and training the teachers and nurses the UK needs: modern universities stand ready to deliver, says Rachel Hewitt
The UK needs a skills strategy that values the full variety of training and education pathways and reflects regional needs, says Neal Juster
Inventor’s Wiltshire-based training centre is first to go through new Office for Students process
Tory plans to close low-performing degrees to fund apprenticeships ‘miss the mark’, says UK sector
End of prime minister’s two-decade term brings reflection on sector’s rapid development but also its enduring challenges
Sector leaders call for rethink of teaching methods to prepare students for changing world of work
England’s Uni Connect programme has funding reduced to ?20 million at ‘exactly the wrong time’, says widening participation expert
Report on ‘voices from the frontline’ aims to dispel degree apprenticeship misconceptions like that of middle-class takeover
Upgraded institutions seen as a way to meet talent demands in the Greater Bay Area
Hesa examines association between productivity and skill levels at local authority level
