Policy Higher Education,

Skills and Employer Partnerships

Professor Alison Halstead

Pro Vice Chancellor

Employer and University links – Political context

► Wilson Review Feb 2012► Result of University/Employer links ~ £3.3 billion to UK

► Industry Strategy September 2012► Advanced Manufacturing and Life Sciences► Energy, Construction, Digital Technologies► Knowledge services ► Catapult centres Employer/Innovation/Research,

Commercialisation and Skills Development

► Consultation Criteria for Higher Apprenticeships at Degree Level► Reporting in April 2013

Education and Skills for the Industry Strategy

inspiring and motivating students for innovative and entrepreneurial

careers

Skills Commission Inquiry into Higher Level Technical Skills

►About 32% of young people go into HE►About 5% go into Apprenticeships ►Where are the rest?

► Less than 40% of STEM graduates enter the profession!!!

► Partnerships HE/FE/Schools/ Employers/Catapult Centres

Technical and Entrepreneurial Skills Challenges

►National lack of youth interest and understanding in Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics.

►Ingenious Britain (Dyson 2010) – Need a new vision for STEM.►Britain has got talent in STEM but needs more - outstanding communicators.►Business and technical skills at all levels.►Huge cultural challenge in the UK to enable all to own the STEM opportunity careers advice, gender issues, image!► 21st Century success needs our society to understand and value STEM. society.

What advice and guidance are young people able to access? And what advice do we give?

Could an Apprenticeship be taken alongside GCSEs?

Is an Advanced Apprenticeships an alternative to A levels? Are Higher Apprenticeships an alternative to degrees?

It’s all about levels of learning, competences, and outcomes and clear progression.

Level 2 GSCEs and ApprenticeshipsLevel 3 Advanced Apprenticeships; A levels; BTEC National Diploma:Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship; HND; Foundation DegreeLevel 5 Higher Apprenticeship; HND; Foundation DegreeLevels 6+ blended learning combinations for degrees, masters and professional doctorates.

What are University STEM departments doing to inspire and motivate? Aston University

►Industry-focused and accredited programmes with an

integrated placement year (Research informed benefits)►Regional entrepreneurs mentor

students►University led STEM

undergraduate mentor in schools►Researchers and employers

input to the curriculum►Creating STEM schools for 14-19 year olds.

What are University Technical Colleges?

►Providers of unique specialist education

►14-19 mainstream education lead by a University with employers

►Blend of academic and vocational

►Excellence in chosen field

Aston University Engineering Academy

a UTC in Birmingham

►Core Practical skills at 14.►Employer design and input to curriculum - inspirational ►Business Day ( 8.30 – 17.00) and Business Smart dress  ►Outstanding teachers – rigorous selection►Staff student ratios 1 to 20 pre 16; 1:15 post 16.►Aston University students in STEM complete their placement year in school.►Employers mentor and coach  

Development of technically literate and inspired and motivated students

Energy futures

CHP

Solar thermal

Solarpanels

Wind turbine

Engineering and Science

Thermal imaging

Sub-station

Engineering and Science

UK needs more Level 4-6 skills. BIS solution funding to employers for Higher Apprenticeships

►Universities could pro-actively engage with Sector Skills and employers to ‘sell’ their innovative and relevant curriculum.

►Many foundation degrees sit within HA frameworks

►Funding through SSC’s and SFA.

►Progression to Masters and Prof Docs.

How can we change the perception of parents, teachers and schools about the necessity of STEM for all? ► For STEM study and careers fees paid by employers or

government

► Partnership with the media for Single messaging from BIS and DfE, SSCs and Education providers and employers to parents and young people.

► Similar messages for teacher training organisation

► Apprenticeships mainstreamed, in Schools and Universities.

Research and Knowledge transfer centres need to be incentivised to inspire learners

► Develop key learning materials for subjects in Schools and Universities on the excitement and relevance of their work.

► Webinar Master Classes.

► Undergraduate and Postgraduate sponsored places, internships and projects opportunities

► Awards and prizes for the regions innovation and STEM success

Employability for all through, Sector Skills, Business and

University Partnerships

The future highly educated workforce