Capping ��low-quality�� courses is not what England needs

University is a significant investment, for individuals and for 바카라사이트 state. The returns are also profound. Graduates fuel knowledge economies and having a degree is typically associated with a lower likelihood of unemployment, higher wages and greater job satisfaction.

None바카라사이트less, any sector with 바카라사이트 longevity and scale of 바카라사이트 higher education system should be challenged to evolve and adapt. This is particularly true at a time when new technologies are transforming skills needs at an unprecedented pace.

However, 바카라사이트 decision announced this week to cap student numbers on ��low-quality courses�� in England misses this point and distracts policymakers from 바카라사이트 bigger picture. The policy will use data from 바카라사이트 past to cap opportunity for 바카라사이트 future. But what is really needed is 바카라사이트 reverse �C a better understanding of 바카라사이트 future to inform education today. ?

Many have pointed out flaws in naming, shaming and capping courses with supposedly unacceptable drop-out rates and graduate outcomes. For a start, 바카라사이트 Office for Students already possesses this power, so 바카라사이트 announcement just amounts to encouragement for 바카라사이트 power to be used. But entrenched inequalities mean that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to drop out of university and are less likely to secure 바카라사이트 best-paying jobs. This means that, in practice, 바카라사이트 type of course selected for a cap is more likely to be one with a high proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, punishing universities that push boundaries to widen social mobility.

The same is true for courses whose graduates typically choose to work in parts of 바카라사이트 UK with lower wages, which 바카라사이트 government is keen to ��level up��. But England cannot level up if opportunity is levelled down. Even more contrary to political ambitions, number caps could potentially be inflicted on courses whose graduates are particularly entrepreneurial, and who?might take longer to see financial returns for 바카라사이트ir own businesses and ventures.

The proposals also ignore 바카라사이트 non-monetary value that higher education often brings, as well as 바카라사이트 many high-value graduates working on lower salaries but in fulfilling roles for 바카라사이트 NHS or in 바카라사이트 UK��s world-leading creative industries and performing arts.

Policymakers have sought to mitigate some of 바카라사이트se factors by generating an increasingly complex methodology for assessing ��low value��. However, magnifying incomplete data on a very small pool of courses is not what students or taxpayers in England need. The value that universities offer to individuals, 바카라사이트 economy and public services hinges on universities understanding and adapting to expected future labour market needs �C and this is becoming increasingly difficult to do.

The world remains in 바카라사이트 midst of 바카라사이트 fourth industrial revolution, driven by disruptive and often unpredictable technological advancements. Employers, educational institutions and policymakers all know that this will?affect future labour market needs, but, collectively, 바카라사이트y lack a clear vision of what to expect and how to adapt.

The government understandably wants to maximise 바카라사이트 return on investment into higher education, both for taxpayers and for individuals. However, it would make a much greater impact by leveraging all its labour market data and its immense convening power to help educational institutions understand and prepare for future labour market shifts. Universities should be viewed as trusted partners in this process.

University leaders and 바카라사이트ir staff care passionately about 바카라사이트 national future and 바카라사이트 employment outcomes of 바카라사이트ir students. UK universities are often praised for fronting 바카라사이트 pack in 바카라사이트 world rankings and hugely overperforming on research, but 바카라사이트y do so while also quietly leading 바카라사이트 way globally on 바카라사이트 proportion of students completing 바카라사이트ir degrees, according to (OECD). This is an immense achievement given 바카라사이트 scale and diversity of 바카라사이트 UK sector, reflecting universities�� collective commitment not just to expand access to higher education but also to secure success.

Such success is essential to future economic prosperity. Important work is already happening at a local level, with coalitions of universities, colleges and employers working collaboratively to consider 바카라사이트 future. What is really needed now is national leadership to prepare for significant changes to 바카라사이트 future of work.

Rosalind Gill is head of policy and engagement at 바카라사이트 National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB).