of traditional study is still popular , but by no means works for everyone . For those students whose educational outcomes are best delivered through different learning settings , for instance both vocational courses and academic qualifications , closer collaboration could be integral to their success .
“ Educational institutions have been working together for a number of years in some form . For instance , colleges , universities and private providers have long collaborated to deliver foundation programmes , franchised or validated provision . However , there is the potential for much more .
“ Greater collaboration would be beneficial in two main ways : access to courses offered by further education and private providers would increase , equipping learners with a more diverse skillset for the workplace ; and universities would benefit from more streamlined progression to higher education and the more extensive talent pool it would bring .
“ Particularly for those learners who may not have considered higher education as an option , this clear progression through a range of learning environments would be a confidence booster , with an end goal in sight from the start . This could be a particular career or qualification , even up to Masters or PhD level .
“ To achieve this , though , all providers must accept that they cannot do everything on their own and realise that working together while drawing on individual strengths is key .
“ For employers , a more streamlined education sector could be vital in helping solve the UK ’ s productivity crisis . Jobseekers in the market currently tend to have a range of qualifications and with different roles requiring various accreditations , they may have to engage separately with a number of different providers . If a consortium model was set up which could support learners through the different stages of education or employment , the benefits to employers looking for candidates across the range of qualification levels would be great .
“ As the world changes and Brexit looms on the horizon , students in the UK will no doubt be considering employment and education options overseas . With more educational institutions setting up foreign campuses and forging links with multinational companies , the options
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