Lib Dems Call for Big Expansion of FDs

Last week the Lib Dems called for 50,000 more Foundation Degree places to be made available to help tackle unemployment among younger adults. Given that they estimate that around 82,000 students were enrolled on these courses in 2008/09, this is substantial commitment to expand numbers. The focus of the proposal is on the FE sector and the proposal specifically refers to “college based foundation degree places”. It is true that around two-thirds of FD students are taught at Further Education Colleges, but much FD provision (particularly for part-time students) is in the university sector and it is important that this is not overlooked. The Lib Dems also propose to make it easier for FECs to gain Foundation Degree awarding powers individually or collectively. My personal view is that the positive approach of the current government towards extending of awarding should be supported. However, I would fear that the scale of what the Lib Dems propose would put quantity before quality and put at risk the reputation of the sector.