Expanding workforce skills

The UK needs more educated people in all walks of life if we are to be competitive in a value-adding economy fit for the 21st century. We also need to meet current skill gaps and shortages. Learning at higher levels should be available to those in work and build on what has been learned in the workplace. It should also offer suitable progression and a credit based approach so learning can be acquired and delivered at times and places that suit individuals. There are enormous challenges that the Government, funding councils, universities, employers and employer organisations have to face . Employers can do more with HE and FE providers to raise the capabilities of those in their workforce while education providers can be more responsive to business needs and broaden their customer and revenue base.

Hence CIHE:

• will continue to work with our Workforce Development Forum of policy and practitioner organisations to share knowledge and press for policy change
• want to see a continued expansion of higher education meeting business needs and involving business, including via work-based Foundation Degrees (FDs) and work-based learning
• will continue to press for learning and credit frameworks across the UK and for these to be consistent with EU policies
• will press for improved information and guidance so individuals can take more informed decisions on their learning
• will continue to encourage closer partnerships between businesses and HE and FE on workforce development and the evaluation of what works and why
• will work with Edge on the HE@Work initiative to pilot more employer engagement with HE learning providers.
• will work with partners (including the SSDA, HEFCE, UUK, London South Bank University) and employers and universities to explore how employer demand for the types of skills and qualifications graduates require is transmitted into the HE sector and how this is converted into the provision of learning by universities.