Our CEO Gordon McKenzie has published the following statement, in light of the Department for Education’s ‘Reforming higher technical education’ consultation response, released today (14th July):

“GuildHE welcomes the government’s focus on getting more people qualified at level 4 and above through a boost to higher technical qualifications. For too long, too many learners have lacked the opportunities and financial support to progress. GuildHE institutions already provide high quality technical and professional higher education. Our members have strong links to employers and a focus on practice-informed teaching and are well placed to deliver new higher technical qualifications. For the reforms to succeed, it is essential that the institute for apprenticeships and technical education puts in place a clear and flexible approvals process that engages employers and awarding bodies and ensures the new HTQs don’t just fit learners for jobs now but provide the broad-based skills, knowledge and behaviours to support their future careers.”

DfE has also released a Social Media Toolkit for stakeholders, which can be found here.