Liz Bromley, Acting CEO of University Alliance commented:
“This report is the latest in a long line to highlight several underlying issues in our education system, not least the shocking decline in part-time and mature learners over recent years and University Alliance & its members will continue to engage with policy makers and others to address these critical issues.
In that spirit we welcome and recognise many of the Select Committee’s key findings, which mirror several of our positions. In particular we support the goal of greater flexibility in student loan funding to engage disenfranchised groups, a better system of credit transfer and having the infrastructure to support a wider use of accelerated degrees. We also share the Select Committee’s view that the IfA and others must do more to support the vital growth of degree apprenticeships through wider engagement with higher education. We know from University Alliance members the challenges they often face in implementing these valuable programmes.
Like the Select Committee, we hope that when the Post-18 Review reports in 2019, it will offer bold and holistic solutions that will help to strengthen and grow this critical section of Britain’s skills landscape and address some of the fundamental challenges in partnership with universities. It is right that we consider the question of value for money in higher education and we were pleased to submit evidence to this inquiry. We welcome the report’s call for a greater focus on skills by universities. We would however also highlight the fantastic work already being undertaken in this area by University Alliance members who have a brilliant track record in delivering the workforce of tomorrow.”
