Employer demand for higher level learning

The CIHE report focuses on how business demands for higher level learning is articulated to universities and colleges, and how this influences the HE curriculum and the subsequent development of new learning provision.

The report explores a range of practical examples where employer demands have been met by universities, ranging from management and leadership development through to postgraduate study in new technologies and undergraduate programmes integrating academic learning and practical skills.

The research concludes that real employer influence on HE learning provision comes through a model of active collaboration and partnership working. To make engagement really work for the benefit of employers, employees and HE requires the parties to acknowledge and address a range of issues of strategic and practical "fit" from the outset. There needs to be greater clarity and understanding of each other's needs, capabilities and constraints. We also need to recognise that institutional relationships and commitments are driven by people. Hence employer demand is not likely to work through a simple "supplier-customer model".

A full project report which has a more in-depth and detailed analysis of the work

A case workbook which contains the 30 case studies which underpinned the study