Universities, Companies, And The Education Minister Grapple With Improved Worker Skills

There is a debate raging in the halls of government and within universities throughout the United Kingdom over the need for improved worker skills. Graduates are leaving UK universities without the complete package of practical skills needed in the workplace. Companies are increasing their standards for entry level employees on a yearly basis, which means that new graduates often have a difficult time living up to the entrance requirements into the working world. Universities are trying to deal with budgetary issues and are concerned about the level of programmes they can offer to their students.

All of these concerns about improved vocational skills stems from the December 2006 report filed by Lord Leitch as regards the future of vocational training in the United Kingdom. The report creates a number of benchmarks for the Ministry of Education and UK universities. However, the most important standard set by the Leitch Report is the goal of 40% of UK graduates who have achieved a Level Four or higher in their field by the year 2020. Education experts have lauded the goals set by the report, recognizing that young professionals will only be able to succeed if they have specialised knowledge in their field.

The government and universities in the UK have taken different tacts based on this report. The Secretary of State for Education, Alan Johnson, has said that universities need to become more flexible in their approach to educating young students and returning workers alike. Johnson and the UK government approach to the problem of worker skills takes the form of increasing vocational programmes within current university settings instead of creating training facilities autonomous of the university system. Johnson and other ministers are concerned about spending more money on education when universities are capable of providing skilled assistance to workers.

However, universities of all kinds in the United Kingdom are objecting to state intervention in their affairs. University presidents and faculty are concerned that excessive government input will harm academic freedom and force students to choose certain courses of study by default. As well, university actuaries and accountants are concerned that providing additional vocational services for free while the government gets the acclaim. Finally, UK universities are demonstrating their commitment to improved worker skills through pilot programmes. The University of Chester has recently established a programme for IT and business professionals looking for additional education, while Coventry is working with professionals to develop custom degree courses that will help them in the workplace.