Prof Liz Cleaver, UVAC Associate (Development) and Executive Leaders’ Network convenor

The initial flurry of activity surrounding the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper is now settling. Just over a month since its publication, the core messages and priorities are rapidly embedding themselves across campuses throughout the sector.

In this evolving environment, the inaugural meeting of the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) Executive Leaders’ Network at Birmingham’s ICC, served as a timely and energizing forum. The event underscored both ongoing and emerging opportunities presented by the new skills landscape for professionals operating within higher education spaces, while also highlighting some persistent common challenges.

Opportunity and Challenge Intersect

Opening reflections delivered by UVAC’s Chief Executive, Dr. Mandy Crawford Lee, and James Farr, Managing Director of event sponsor Think, immediately established the day’s central theme: opportunity and challenge are intrinsically linked.

With government ambitious to boost higher-level learning among young people by one-third, just as current UCAS application rates begin to dip, institutions willing to innovate are positioned to thrive. Provocations from Mandy and James challenged universities to rethink how they can connect learners more directly to skilled occupations, leverage existing capabilities and relationships forged through growing apprenticeship provision, and strategically embrace technology to deliver flexible, high quality education…

READ THE ARTICLE IN FULL – PDF DOWNLOAD