Higher Education in Further Education Colleges - consultation on HEFCE policy

The particular contribution of FECs to higher education provision for the engineering sector is reflected in the progression of engineering Advanced Apprentices to higher education programmes such as Higher National Certificates and Diplomas. There is considerable interest from the sector to develop staff beyond Level 3, and using FECs to deliver high-quality courses, relevant to the workplace, and developed in partnership with employers, can meet some of these needs.

Recent figures from HESA show that HNCs and HNDs still outnumber Foundation Degrees, and we believe that this is because employers still value these qualifications in sectors where they have traditionally been the progression route for advanced apprentices. It is important that HE in FEC strategy develops in support of true employer needs and demands, rather than reflecting any political pressure to provide certain types of courses over others.

Added 23 February 2007