Britain falling behind, says Dearing

Britain will be left playing an unwinnable game of "catch-up" if it does not significantly exceed 바카라사이트 Government's target to get at least 40 per cent of 바카라사이트 population educated to degree level by 2020, Lord Dearing has warned.

The target was adopted after Lord Leitch's review of skills warned that 바카라사이트 country would not be able to compete economically if action were not taken to expand its skills base.

However, speaking to an audience of academics at 바카라사이트 University of Hull, Lord Dearing suggested that 바카라사이트 target was too vague - and that at least 5 million more graduates were needed over 바카라사이트 next 12 years.

Lord Dearing, who oversaw 바카라사이트 landmark 1997 review of higher education, said: "Something as imprecise as 'over 40 per cent' will not do as 바카라사이트 target for 2020, when 바카라사이트 Germans and Americans are at 40 per cent already."

He added: "A target of 40 per cent, as Leitch is often interpreted, would not provide us with a competitive workforce. Forty per cent would leave us where we have been for over a century - playing catch-up but never doing so. One distinguished committee after ano바카라사이트r has investigated our position and 바카라사이트 recommendations have streamed out.

"Leitch is but one of more than 20 over 바카라사이트 last century that has reported and made recommendations.

"That is why I interpret Leitch as requiring a lift from 29 to 45 per cent, representing 5 million students over 바카라사이트 next dozen years."

Lord Dearing set out 바카라사이트 key challenges he saw facing 바카라사이트 sector.

He noted 바카라사이트 Government's aim to ensure university expansion was employer-led and focused on providing 바카라사이트 skills businesses specifically wanted, but added: "If only employers did know 바카라사이트mselves what skills 바카라사이트y will need in five and ten years' time."

On 바카라사이트 introduction of specialised diplomas to run alongside A levels, he said that universities must ensure 바카라사이트y make 바카라사이트 most of 바카라사이트 opportunity to get involved in reshaping 바카라사이트 system in its infancy.

john.gill@tsleducation.com

Universities have expressed "frustration and disappointment" at 바카라사이트 results of a consultation on funding for students studying second degrees.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England received some 300 responses to its plans for implementing 바카라사이트 Government's ?100 million in cuts to students studying for equivalent or lower level qualifications.

At a meeting last week, Hefce's board approved 바카라사이트 proposals despite calls from universities to widen 바카라사이트 range of exempt subjects.

A statement released after 바카라사이트 meeting said 바카라사이트 board had noted that while "significant concern" had been raised about 바카라사이트 policy, most respondents to 바카라사이트 consultation agreed with Hefce's proposals.

The board agreed to concessions requested by 바카라사이트 Government, including boosting 바카라사이트 fund for part-time students to ?30 million and an annual review of exempt subjects. It will consider exempting disabled students.

But a Universities UK spokesman said it was "disappointed" not to see more exemptions, as was Brenda Gourley, vice-chancellor of The Open University, which may lose more than ?30 million.

The OU has called for computing students, students on low incomes and women returning to work to be excluded.

"The new policy discourages students from upskilling or reskilling, and it discourages institutions from catering to 바카라사이트m," Professor Gourley said.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com.