Building Skills for All - university is not the only option

The OECD has published a report entitled Building Skills for All, A Review of England. In response, Martin Doel, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “A university education is not the only option and policy makers need to recognise that a technical and professional education is just as valuable. Further education colleges prepare over 3 million people each year with the skills for the workplace through expert teachers, industry-standard facilities and a close on-going relationship with local employers of all sizes. “It is important that students are made aware of and encouraged to look into of all the options open to them. To make informed choices for the future, young people need high quality, impartial careers information about all post-16 education and training options, including apprenticeships and technical and professional education, that’s why the Government’s recent announcement is so important. “All 18-year-olds, whether going to college, university or a job should have maths and English skills up to level 2. It is appropriate, therefore, that universities should only accept students with these qualifications.”