Post-18 Education Review: Our Response

19 February 2018

Date:

19 02 2018

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In response to the Prime Minister’s announcement of a review of post-18 education, Dr Fiona Aldridge, Assistant Director at Learning and Work Institute:

“While much of the media attention will be focused on university fees, we are pleased that the Prime Minister outlined her intention that this review should cover the whole post-18 education system, across both further and higher education. It is vital to establish a coherent and accessible system of tertiary education if we are to make the most of the talents of all our young people and of adults of all ages.

The evidence is clear: investing in education and skills boosts prosperity, promotes inclusion and creates opportunity. Yet, despite this, there has been substantial reductions in funding for further education in recent years, along with a collapse in adult participation in both further and higher education.

It is imperative that this decline is reversed. As such, we believe that the success of the review should be judged on whether it leads to the creation of a coherent, flexible and high-quality offer for those aged 18 and over, to develop their skills and improve their prospects throughout their lives.”