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Re ¡°Theresa May to seek new ¡®credible alternative¡¯ to universities¡± (23 January, www.timeshighereducation.com).

The new technical courses look suitably redesigned and the reformed apprenticeships promisingly well funded. The massive problem will be the long-standing challenge of attracting students to them rather than to A levels.

There is also the hurdle of getting firms to provide the attractive, well-paid work placements and apprenticeships that extend over several years for technicians. Technical education provision usually responds to industrial/business demand rather than leads it. The previous track record of UK-owned small to medium-sized enterprises in particular is not encouraging in this respect. Much may depend on continued foreign investment by international companies in the UK¡¯s post-Brexit economy.

W. Speedway
Via timeshighereducation.com

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