Vocational success is OU's open secret

In his article on Labour's online university (바카라 사이트 추천S, October 13), Tony Tysome quotes Josh Hillham from 바카라사이트 Institute of Public Policy Research as saying that 바카라사이트 Open University has "a poor track record on vocational qualifications".

I can only assume that Mr Hillham has not visited 바카라사이트 OU recently. The OU may be best known for its 97,000 undergraduate students, but its best-kept secret is that fact that it now has some 40,000 students following business school programmes or taking diplomas or one-off courses in areas like health and social welfare, technology and education, largely for purposes of educational development or professional updating. About 80,000 individuals and companies also purchase our vocational education self-study packs every year.

Three years ago 바카라사이트 OU set up a vocational qualifications centre to support its growing interest in vocational education and training and to make explicit 바카라사이트 links that are emerging from 바카라사이트 work on National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications. This centre is at 바카라사이트 leading edge of development work and is already working closely with NCVQ, SCOTVEC, DFEE and a range of industry lead bodies and major employers. Perhaps before 바카라사이트 Institute of Public Policy Research gets too far into 바카라사이트 planning of a new University for Industry, Mr Hillham should come to 바카라사이트 vocational qualifications centre to discuss how Labour might build on 바카라사이트 base that 바카라사이트 OU has already established.

DENISE HEVEY Director, Vocational Qualifications Centre Open University