Incessant government meddling in FE makes cooperation with HE a challenge

The UK is about 15th in the world productivity ranking in terms of gdp per person, 9 of the top ten are EU members, USA 5th. The new practical level 3 Tech Levels qualifications may provide a suitable path in to degree apprenticeships, but the level of funding needed to seriously have an impact will probably not be available, even with the new Apprenticeship levy. They're not particularly suitable qualifications for entry in to conventional academic degree programmes though. A more realistic route for many with Tech levels maybe the 1 year full time or 2 year part time level 4 Technician qualification/apprenticeship directed specifically through the FE colleges, especially were tuition fees fully funded by a combination of employer and government support. Notably, many employers advertise employment opportunities stating a degree or HNC(level 4) requirement for the position.

Hi W.Speedway, Our Level 3 Technical qualifications actually carry the same number of UCAS points as three A levels so will allow students to progress to university (as long as the university admissions officers recognise them). We already have students at university having studied these qualifications (including one who starts at a Russell Group University in September). More info here. www.cityandguilds.com/techbac/technical-qualifications/progression-routes "The UCAS tariff-points for Technical Qualifications are aligned with A-Levels depending on their grades and sizes, which will strengthen your application for an undergraduate degree in the UK. For example, some universities require 3 A-Levels or equivalent as a requirement for some of their courses, but with the new Tariff, a City & Guilds Advanced Extended Diploma (GLH 1080) equates to the same size as a 3 A-Level programme of study. A grade of Distinction* from the City & Guilds Advanced Extended Diploma (GLH 1080) has been allocated the same UCAS points as 3 A-Levels at A*.'

Hello Kate G-W The current list of government approved Tech levels 3 seem to be a mixed bag, with some recognised for access by HE institutions, but many not so. In contrast, the approved Applied General Qualifications are apparently normally recognised for access by HE. To render a particular Tech level acceptable for HE, when essential, perhaps the type of bridging requirement could be indicated in the Specification - possibly more straightforward to describe for say progression to a recognised level 4 HNC within the FE sector, rather than perhaps entry to a particular university’s bespoke degree course. Moreover, perhaps level 4 Technical/Vocational qualifications not part of a funded Apprenticeship, could be exempted from tuition fees paid by the student, to seriously help redress the UK skills technical/vocational skills issue.

Correction: Just to clarify my point above further. Universities themselves (not just the admissions officers) have to recognise the Technical qualification as being suitable for entry to their course, regardless of whether or not they have UCAS Tariff points. The new UCAS Tariff is a broad metric of qualification size and grading structure.

Once again I have read a post about skills, and once again I feel dismayed and annoyed with what I'm asked to accept as fact and what I'm asked to believe is an expert position. Until I have a definition of what a 'skill' is, I can't take any post about a so called skills 'gap' seriously. I suspect that many admissions officers may sympathsise with me.

We have this system in Scotland -articulation agreements for students to study 2 years at FE college (to HND) and then continue into 3rd year at univesrity with no loss of time. Routes between courses are agreed, extra support is available, and these direct entry students have been graduating with honours for a few years. One such scheme is the Associate Student project centred in Edinburgh Napier University's School of Computing. More here: http://jpaap.napier.ac.uk/index.php/JPAAP/article/view/269/html