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.

HE in FE: Which way forward?

The TES is reporting that the Ascociation of Colleges have dropped their campaign for a new Bachelor of Vocational Studies degree. I think this is the right decision. Many of us who have been involved with Foundation Degrees over the years know how difficult it has been to establish a new qualification in the minds of the public, employers and colleagues. The Bachelor of Vocational Studies degree might well have faced even greater challenges. There name could easily be confused with BA/BSc courses which they were unlike, while there structure would be similar to exisitng Foundation Degrees (for which colleges can already apply for awarding powers). In addition, the validating 'National Skills University' might have proved to be costly and bureaucratic. Let me emphasise, I have seen excellent examples of higher education delivered in FECs and take the view that they can and should play a greater role in future HE provision. However, I don’t think the Vocational Studies idea was a good one and I’m glad to see that it has been dropped.

Employability - International Dimesions

Here's news of a one day workshop focusing on international dimensions of graduate employability. Looks interesting.

The FDTL5 Enhancing Graduate Employability Project is delighted to invite you to attend a one-day workshop entitled:

International Dimensions of Graduate Employability: Developing the global citizen

Friday 16th October 2009

Oxford Brookes University

Confirmed Speakers include:

· Brenda Little, Principal Policy Analyst, Centre for Higher Education Research and Information

· Chris Shiel, Director of the Centre for Global Perspectives, Bournemouth University

· David Bagley, Head of Enterprise and Employability, University of Central Lancashire

This workshop will provide an opportunity to:

· Explore institutional approaches to embedding employability

· Explore some key issues surrounding graduate employability with a specific focus on international perspectives

· Consider the demand for graduate skills in a difficult economic climate

· Enable the sharing of best practice within the higher education sector to enhance graduate level employability

Attendance is free of charge but places are limited. The event will be of interest to academics with an interest in employability from across subject disciplines, careers advisors, senior institutional staff and employers.

To register your interest in this workshop please e-mail: hlst@brookes.ac.uk.

Complimentary copies of the following publications will be made available on the day:

“Delivering Graduate Employability:

Case studies in Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism”

Edited by Sarah Graves and Angela Maher

and

“Graduate Employability: Can higher education deliver?”

Angela Maher and Sarah Graves

The workshop is being run by the FDTL5 Enhancing Graduate Employability Project and is supported by the HLST and BMAF Higher Education Academy Subject Centres and the Oxford Brookes University Careers and Employment Service.

The FDTL5 ‘Enhancing Graduate Employability’ project is directed by Oxford Brookes University and funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL). Further detailed information and resources can be found on the project website at www.enhancingemployability.org.uk