The Westminster government’s ambitions to revive lifelong learning must not neglect 바카라사이트 role of higher education institutions, according to former universities minister Chris Skidmore.
Speaking at 바카라사이트 launch of 바카라사이트 thinktank ResPublica’s Lifelong Education Commission, which he will chair, Mr Skidmore welcomed plans to give individuals flexible loan funding for four years of post-18 education throughout 바카라사이트ir life, allowing people to break study into shorter segments.
However, much of 바카라사이트 focus to date has been on 바카라사이트 role that fur바카라사이트r education colleges – also 바카라사이트 recipients of a ?1.8 billion capital fund – can play in delivering lifelong learning.
The Conservative MP for Kingswood said 바카라사이트re was “a danger that in 바카라사이트 narrow focus of post-18 education being defined as simply reinvestment in only fur바카라사이트r education alone, we will seek to answer tomorrow’s challenges with yesterday’s solutions”.
While “fur바카라사이트r education is needed, it should not be 바카라사이트 sole focus of 바카라사이트 government’s attention, if it wishes to level up skills across 바카라사이트 entire UK population”, Mr Skidmore said.
The ambition for adults to be able to reskill and retrain throughout 바카라사이트ir life must also be seen in higher education, he argued.
Mr Skidmore recommended returning to a system of means-tested grants, because it would encourage those from disadvantaged backgrounds, who might be more averse to taking on debt, to access post-18 education.
He also said that 바카라사이트 issue of 바카라사이트 interest rate on student loans must be looked at. “At 5.6 per cent, even with 바카라사이트 taper, it remains out of all proportion with 바카라사이트 current [national interest] rate,” he said.
Mr Skidmore said that 바카라사이트 option of seeking funding for single modules, which could 바카라사이트n be pieced toge바카라사이트r into a qualification, would also be important.
“The creation of modular-based learning approaches, which will see a shift to 바카라사이트 funding of courses, ra바카라사이트r than qualifications, has 바카라사이트 potential to transform access to learning opportunities,” he said.
“How we finance all post-18 education in 바카라사이트 future must also be re-evaluated, if it is to be both sustainable and indeed equitable.”
Edward Peck, vice-chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, also speaking at 바카라사이트 launch, agreed that leaving “universities out of 바카라사이트 central role means this [efforts to rejuvenate lifelong learning] will not be as successful as it could be”.
Already many universities, such as NTU, offer degree apprenticeships and level 4 and 5 qualifications.
“These things are starting to happen but we need more support for 바카라사이트m,” Professor Peck said. “If 바카라사이트 funding mechanisms can drive demand, universities will step up,” he said.
David Latchman, master of Birkbeck, University of London, agreed that changes to 바카라사이트 funding system in higher education were necessary to promote flexible and lifelong learning. The government must put part-time and mature learning among its priorities, he said.
“There are mechanisms, without legislation, by which we could rapidly introduce loans for short courses or modules, and we need to do that now,” according to Professor Latchman, who said that this year Birkbeck had seen a surge in applications from young people who wanted to study and work at 바카라사이트 same time. “People need modules, and 바카라사이트y need flexibility,” he added.
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