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This Guide is for employers and employer brokers and has information on:

• Higher Education?
• HEI'S and Employers
  
• Accessing HE in the West Midlands
• Course Info, FAQ’s, Jargon Buster

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', doesn’t actually mean the full working week spent in lectures, seminars or tutorials. Study hours vary hugely between programmes and in some cases 'full-time' means 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

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Higher Level Institutions and Employers

HEI’s have a long history of working with employers in areas such as research and development, student placement and development of courses including Continuing Professional Development programmes, as well as managing science parks and innovation centres across the West Midlands. HEIs have departments which are responsible for employer engagement and business development activity to encourage more direct and fruitful work with employers. It is mandatory for some programmes such as Foundation Degrees to have employer input in their development.

Some of the key benefits reported by business of working with an HEI include:

· Training solutions developed in partnership with HE that directly impact on achieving business objectives. Increasing profitability through application of business processes/procedures that reduce costs and increase sales

· Work-based projects that solve issues and/or create new business opportunities (Knowledge Transfer of research at HEI to business)

· Training and development that increases the skills of staff throughout the business; improving the overall performance of the organisation, reducing staff turnover rates / increasing confidence and motivation of staff

· Accreditation or a credit system for internal CPD activity, promoting the business as a more attractive place for individuals to work and develop

· Peer-to-peer learning mechanisms that disseminate the new knowledge and skills of the learner to colleagues

· Networking opportunity through business-to-business contacts and building a relationship with local HEI network

Accessing HE in the West Midlands

There are 13 Higher Education Institutions in the WM region: Aston, Birmingham, Birmingham City, Coventry, Harper Adams, Keele, Newman University College, Open University, Staffordshire, University College Birmingham, Warwick, Wolverhampton and Worcester.

Higher level skills are offered by a range of providers including: Universities, Colleges or institutes of Higher Education, Further Education Colleges (FE), Private training providers and Professional bodies such as Chartered Institute of Personnel Development. Many HE level courses especially Foundation Degrees are delivered by FE in a workplace setting.

Studying at a WM HEI is now easier than ever. A range of entry schemes for mature students and those with few, older or not formally recognised qualifications exist. Increasingly, work experience at the relevant level can be considered as part of the entry portfolio, and some courses actually require work experience for entry. If you are concerned just call the admissions department or the business services department for further information.

University courses are generally paid for by the employer or employee, with a few rare exceptions where funding is available for a specific area of need.

The Director Development Fund can be used to deliver HE courses.

A number of case studies from WM organisations detailing the real business benefits of investing in HE level training are available via Jacqueline Taylor.

Entry to higher levels skills programmes normally require a qualification at level 3 in order to progress to level 4 (a first degree programme). However, this is not always the case, especially where the learner has experience in the workplace which could be considered by the institution to meet the entry requirements for the course.

Where a level 3 qualification is needed, courses known as 'Access to Higher Education' provide a route to HE for adults aged 19+ with few formal qualifications. Access courses are normally offered at Further Education Colleges and are extremely flexible and focus on the skills that 'mature' students require such as study skills as well as having an element of subject-specific focus.

Many sectors have professional development pathways with the Sector Skills Councils often having a role in development. This is a moving landscape so it is a good idea to contact the relevant Council to get hold of the latest model. Lifelong Learning Networks and Aim Higher organisations also have a role in the development of vocational pathways

Access course - One-year full- or part-time course, at level 3, for students who are not ready to enter degree programmes. Features study and writing skills, English language and some study of the subject to be studied at degree level.

APEL: credit given to students for experiential learning completed in the past, for example things you have learned to do in your job

• is credit for past courses you have taken.
• (also a ‘first degree’) the qualification you receive after successfully completing a three or four year programme of degree level study.
• can help with study costs if you can't get student support from you Local Authority.

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme. All courses, or modules, are worth a number of CATS points. If a student changes course, moves to another institution, takes a break from study or changes from full- to part-time the points have the potential to be transferred.

• a higher education qualification awarded by a university.

Foundation degree a university level vocational qualification that can be studied full-or part-time; the equivalent of two thirds of an undergraduate honours degree.

Graduate is a person who has been awarded a degree from a University or College.

HNC/D - Higher National Certificate / Diploma is a higher education qualification given for successfully completing practical, vocational training

UCAS - University and College Admissions Service.  Manages applications for full-time undergraduate degree courses.

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