Staffordshire University has welcomed a new report and calls for government to recognise the critical role universities play in the delivery of vocational and transferable skills.

Levelling up: investing in higher technical education at universities in England explores the depth of provision of level 4 and 5 higher technical education, that equips peoplethroughout the UK with skills keenly sought by employers.

Published today by MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, the report recommends that the UK government in England should:

• Introduce full maintenance grant support for all learners (including part-time and mature students) undertaking level 4 and 5 qualifications at registered providers to increase the take up of work-focused higher education.
• Encourage all providers of level 4 and 5 education to be registered with the Office for Students to guarantee that students receive a high-quality education experience and financial support during their studies.
• Recognise that colleges and universities are both key players in the provision of higher technical education and support collaboration between them to promote skills and qualifications.
• Improve and increase the data available on level 4 and 5 qualifications to enable a better understanding of the nature and scope of technical education at both colleges and universities.
• Ensure that all level 3 qualifications are designed to enable progression to further education opportunities, whether immediately or at a later point in a learner’s life.
• Provide adequate financial support to students undertaking qualifications at level 3 to remove barriers to study.

Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, Chair of MillionPlus said: “A great breadth of such provision does exist already in modern universities, but this delivery in every corner of England is too often unheralded.

“The new government should commit to enabling greater diversity of workplace-focused provision and ensure it is flexible and accessible enough for students at any stage of their working life. We hope to work with the new team of ministers to achieve that goal.”

Welcoming the report, Professor Ieuan Ellis, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Place and Engagement) at Staffordshire University, said: “Staffordshire University is Gold rated for teaching excellence and delivers flexible, relevant, high quality awards that equip graduates with both the academic and higher technical skills needed for the current and future workforce.

“Our commitment and focus on the development of higher technical education and skills development is evidenced through our £42m Catalyst investment in a Digital skills and Apprenticeships Hub, and the development of our University Enterprise Zone, incorporating specialist facilities for higher technical skills development.

“Our focus on higher technical and vocational awards incorporates our degree apprenticeships with over 700 Staffordshire University students studying for degree apprenticeship in including digital, engineering, policing and healthcare.”