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15/11/2011
Future Universities Tailored For Business – Hayes
Universities will need to change to meet the needs of employers, under proposed "radical" changes by the Further Education Minister on Tuesday.
Speaking at Tuesday's Association of Colleges Annual Conference, Skills Minister John Hayes set out a vision for a "stronger, more flexible and more independent" further education sector.
Mr Hayes said that under his new measures, colleges will take on "simplified governance" and data-management arrangements so they are able to react quickly to meet the skills needs of local employers, including those in new industries.
The plan will mean Universities are able to draw down student funding for programmes that meet a particular employer skill need whilst simultaneously developing a qualification.
The Minister said: “Further education is moulding the future of communities and the country. Over the last year we’ve seen remarkable progress. But there are still too many rules putting the brakes on progress and stifling innovation.
“I want to liberate colleges to be free to do what is right for their communities now. The changes we propose are radical, and by the end of this Parliament will transform the further education landscape.”
The University and College Union (UCU) has responded to the proposed changes saying they were concered at the "dangers" of for-profit higher education providers.
The UCU backed calls for the government to urgently reconsider the plans, which the union described as allowing "for-profit higher education providers access to increased public funds without passing regulatory standards".
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We are not alone in our concerns about for-profit education providers having access to more of taxpayers' money without facing the same regulations as our public universities.
"A cursory glance across the pond to America details the extent of the problems we may face without proper regulation of those seeking to make a fast buck out of our education system."
(DW)
Speaking at Tuesday's Association of Colleges Annual Conference, Skills Minister John Hayes set out a vision for a "stronger, more flexible and more independent" further education sector.
Mr Hayes said that under his new measures, colleges will take on "simplified governance" and data-management arrangements so they are able to react quickly to meet the skills needs of local employers, including those in new industries.
The plan will mean Universities are able to draw down student funding for programmes that meet a particular employer skill need whilst simultaneously developing a qualification.
The Minister said: “Further education is moulding the future of communities and the country. Over the last year we’ve seen remarkable progress. But there are still too many rules putting the brakes on progress and stifling innovation.
“I want to liberate colleges to be free to do what is right for their communities now. The changes we propose are radical, and by the end of this Parliament will transform the further education landscape.”
The University and College Union (UCU) has responded to the proposed changes saying they were concered at the "dangers" of for-profit higher education providers.
The UCU backed calls for the government to urgently reconsider the plans, which the union described as allowing "for-profit higher education providers access to increased public funds without passing regulatory standards".
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We are not alone in our concerns about for-profit education providers having access to more of taxpayers' money without facing the same regulations as our public universities.
"A cursory glance across the pond to America details the extent of the problems we may face without proper regulation of those seeking to make a fast buck out of our education system."
(DW)
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Adult skills courses face severe cutbacks in 2004
The organisation representing Further Education Colleges in the UK, the Association of Colleges (AoC) has warned that many adult improvers will suffer due to an emphasis of government plans on basic skills for adult learners. The AoC claim that around 70,000 places will be lost as government cuts local college funding in the next year.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A fine dry days weather with sunshine quite widespread, particularly from mid-morning. Temperatures best across southern districts. North to northwesy breezes occasionally freshening around the coasts. Maximum temperature 15 °C.Tonight:Most dry with good clear spells bringing a rural frost in the south for some. Cloudier around northern coasts where the odd light shower may develop. Northerly breezes persisting. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
