Employers ‘should participate more' in HE provision

Engineering, technology and business courses commonly require HE students undertake related work placements during the summer vacations, or offer the sandwich type degree. Also accreditation of a degree by a Professional Institute whose representatives are invariably from industry and commerce, also perhaps represent a viable model to engage. The extension of PhD training centres to more universities and research capable SMEs in particular offer good opportunities as well.

This is another indication of the irrelevance of the QAA. Beyond a certain point, employer involvement means training students for today's labour market rather than educating them to participate in the labour market of the next 30-50 years. Employers should not be ducking their own responsibilities for professional development by expecting universities to produce oven-ready graduates in the narrow sense of this report.

Why should the sole purpose of a university education or degree be about churning out 'work-ready' graduates to satisfy the relentless demand sod employers and big business? Universities are being turned into a sausage factory, turning out graduates in conveyor-belt style, to meet the demands of big business. What a dull, soul-less, process. What is wrong with education as a worthwhile activity in itself, but which will then produce educated, well-rounded individuals who are also, as a by product, valuable to employers? Must every single civic, cultural or social activity or institution be subordinated to the interests of big business or the needs of 'the market'? What a philistine nation we are becoming. Noting is deemed worthwhile unless it benefits employers and corporations.