Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has responded to the modern Industrial Strategy Green Paper which will be officially launched by the Prime Minister Theresa May today (23 January), with the role of technical education set to form a major plank of the plan.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

“Modern universities are well placed to play a leading role in the government’s industrial strategy. They are key players in their localities, at the heart of links with companies developing major new technologies as well as small and medium-sized enterprises and they are leading the modern apprenticeship agenda.

“We are pleased that the government has picked up on our proposals for targeted initiatives to address the different levels of participation in higher education in different parts of the country. However, support for life-long learning cannot be limited to a few areas and must be based on a national plan. We therefore welcome the opportunity which the Industrial Strategy Green Paper provides to have further discussions with Ministers and employers as to how life-long learning can be progressed in ways which will support individuals, businesses and those who are not in the workplace.

“The government currently has the Technical and Further Education Bill and the HE and Research Bill going through parliament. It will therefore be important to understand how the proposals in the industrial strategy align with the new legislation. At a time of major reductions in FE and local authority funding, questions also have to be asked as to whether the £170m announced by the government would be better spent in promoting collaboration between universities and colleges which are already engaged in high quality professional, technical and vocational education.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. Modern universities: key facts
3. More on the Industrial Strategy can be found here
4. In response to the Green Paper MillionPlus is planning to publish new research in February outlining the role that modern universities can play in supporting both the devolution agenda and the industrial strategy.
5. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk