| | | | | | 1 | | 
| | | 2 | 1 Introduction to Higher Education
Higher Education (HE) refers to studying for qualifications such as Diplomas and Degrees at level 4 and above. A wide range of business relevant bespoke and flexible courses and modes of delivery are now on offer to organisations, with the employee, employer and University often discussing together what is required and agreeing what is studied and when. Staff development opportunities include:
Part-time programmes, Distance learning, E-learning.
‘Full-time', often doesn’t actually mean the full working week spent in lectures, seminars or tutorials. "Contact hours' vary hugely between programmes and in some cases 'full-time' can mean as little as 4 contact hours per week.
Sandwich degrees which, critically, include time spent in industry and count towards the final degree classification.
Employer specific courses which may not lead to a qualification
Courses offered by The Open University and others are almost entirely undertaken by distance learning, an extremely flexible way to study.
The nature of higher education in the UK has changed significantly over the past 30 years. The number of students studying at universities and colleges has increased dramatically, with over two million students at higher education institutions today. The overall Government objective is to increase the number of adults qualified at Level 4 or above from 29% (2005) to 40% by 2020. |
| | | 3 | 2 Accessing HE
Employees who have Higher Level Skills are good for business. Businesses that have invested in Higher Education for their staff report a positive impact on productivity and profitability. Higher Level Skills are an effective mechanism for diversifying businesses and gaining footholds in new markets. Successful businesses report the positive impact of Higher Level Skills in their existing markets:
"Training has helped us understand and change how we approach marketing. In terms of return on investment this exercise has paid for itself many times over with a 100% increase in sales year on year." Darren Hinson, Regional Sales Manager, South West Microwave
Higher Education has changed considerably in recent years. Nowadays there is a wide range of business related courses that can be studied part-time, on-line and through work based learning. This allows employers and employees to choose the subject, level and mode of study that suits the professional development needs of the employee and the future business needs of the employer. |
| | | 4 | 3 The Public Sector & Higher Education
The Public Sector is easily the UK’s biggest employer with some 6 million employees as of June 2009. The public sector embraces a wide range of organisations including the NHS, The Civil Service, Local Government, Education, Police, Fire and Ambulance Services. As of October 08 The Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Lloyds Banking Group were also classified as public sector. Statistics show that over half of those working in the public sector have a degrees or higher level qualification compared to just under a quarter in the private sector.
Universities and Colleges publish entry criteria for all courses.
Public Sector employees can enter Higher Education via the same routes available to those in the private sectors: Direct Entry to HE, Access Courses, Foundation Courses, Apprenticeship, Train to Gain / Vocational Qualifications / A’ levels |
| | | 5 | 4 HE in Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality
Higher Education provides opportunities for the development of existing staff and for the recruitment of qualified graduates. Studying at higher levels develops skills and knowledge that addresses key business and sector issues of low productivity and high staff turnover, and improves management skills.
Universities and colleges in the West Midlands provide a range of sector specific qualifications and short courses, as well as longer awards such as Foundation degrees, HNDs or Honours degrees. Courses can often be studied full-time, part-time or by distance learning programmes to suit the needs of the employer. Courses vary in emphasis from those teaching management skills, to those with a specific industry focus.
Higher Education providers work in close collaboration with industry giving businesses the opportunity to learn from good practice across the sector as well as commissioning bespoke training solutions. Many providers have specialist facilities and engage in the research and development of new technologies and practices as well as product testing, trials and consultancy. |
| | | 6 | 5 HE in the Construction Sector
Higher Education provides opportunities for the development of existing staff and for the recruitment of qualified graduates . There is a high demand for graduates in the construction sector, as the sector requires well-qualified graduates with relevant skills and knowledge.
Many of the region’s Universities provide construction related study including support for management and other business related courses. Many universities already work closely with companies on all aspects of their business and can develop bespoke and flexible training to suit business needs. There are also Further Education providers who are particularly active in these areas with a particular emphasis on employer responsiveness and flexible work based delivery at Foundation Degree, HNC/HND level.
Higher Education providers work in close collaboration with industry giving businesses the opportunity to learn from good practice across the sector as well as commissioning bespoke training solutions. Many providers have specialist facilities and engage in the research and development of new technologies and practices as well as product testing, trials and consultancy. |
| | | 7 | 6 Skills in the Science and Technology Sector
The sectors represented are: aerospace, automotive, bioscience, electrical, electronics, maintenance, marine, mathematics, mechanical, metals and engineered metal products. Science, engineering and manufacturing are strategic UK industries:
· 75,000 companies and a workforce of 2 million make up the sectors ‘footprint’
· UK engineering and science turnover was £204 billion in 2006
· UK engineering exports amounted to £137 billion in 2006: 40% of total UK exports of goods and services
· The UK is Europe’s top location for investment in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development
The access to generalist skills for leaders and managers in Science and IT related roles is of importance because there is an increasing demand on managers/leaders to be able to oversee business areas that are outside of their specialist IT area. Areas which may be of additional importance to growth and transformation of IT and Science related business are for example Project Management, Finance, Marketing, Market Research and Human Resources. Universities as well as Further Education colleges have developed an increasingly broad offer to businesses including flexible, chunks of training, consultancy and research. General business provision is normally leading to accreditation of some form such as CMI or LMI. However, there is ample of choice of HE products and services that are non-accredited and which mainly aim at responding to specific employer needs. |
| | | 8 | 7 HE in Creative and Media
The West Midlands has a large number of higher education places in courses related to this sector. Around 12% of all HE provision is related to the creative and media sector, though much of this is within Computer Science.
Computer Science, Design Studies, Fine art, Media Studies and Music are the main subjects on offer. Together these studies make up over 60% of creative and media places. Computer Science represents 37% of provision, although only a small proportion of graduates may move in to the sector. The Creative and Cultural Skills Sector Skills Agreement (see jargon buster in pdf) notes that a high number of graduates from courses in areas such as music and design enter into other sectors on completion of their degrees.
The main HE providers in the Creative and Media sector are Birmingham City University, the University of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire University, Coventry University, University of Worcester, Hereford College of Art and the University of Warwick. Many colleges also offer level 4+ tailored programmes in graphic or web design, and short CPD programmes. |
| | | 9 | 8 HE in the Environmental & Land-Based Sector
Higher Education provides graduates with an understanding of relevant theory and current professional practice as well as opportunities for specialist study. In addition, graduates develop Higher Level Skills that contribute to their careers and the businesses that they work for.
There are a number of colleges and universities in the West Midlands offering Higher Education courses in the Land Based Sector – (see www.landex.co.uk for full list of Land-based colleges). Specialist land-based colleges, like Harper Adams and the Royal Agricultural College offer a spectrum of HE awards. Other land-based colleges have HE provision in specialist areas such as Moreton Morrell college, Pershore college, Sparsholt college and Holme Lacy College. Several universities offer HE awards that focus on scientific and environmental management aspects of land based studies – but may have limited practical aspects.
Most courses can be studied full-time or part-time, and students with existing experience or qualifications may be exempt from completing all aspects of the course.
Higher Education providers work in close collaboration with industry giving businesses the opportunity to learn from good practice across the sector as well as commissioning bespoke training solutions. Many providers have specialist facilities and engage in the research and development of new technologies and practices as well as product testing, trials and consultancy. |
| | | 10 | 9 HE in Manufacturing and Engineering
Higher Education provides opportunities for the development of existing staff and for the recruitment of qualified graduates . There is a high demand for graduates in the manufacturing and engineering sector, as the sector requires well-qualified graduates with the skills and knowledge to develop areas such as design, technology, innovation and service.
Many of the regions Universities provide Engineering and Manufacturing related study including support for management and other business related courses. Many Universities already work closely with companies on all aspects of their business and can develop bespoke and flexible training to suit business needs. Key responsive providers include: University of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire University, Coventry University, and Aston University.
There are also many Further Education providers who are particularly active in these areas with a particular emphasis on employer responsiveness and flexible work based delivery at Foundation Degree, HNC/HND level.
Higher Education providers work in close collaboration with industry giving businesses the opportunity to learn from good practice across the sector as well as commissioning bespoke training solutions. Many providers have specialist facilities and engage in the research and development of new technologies and practices as well as product testing, trials and consultancy. |
| |
|
