Event report - Linking London HE in FE Practitioner Group Meeting
The second HE in FE Practitioner Group Meeting of the academic year chaired by Andrew Gower, Principal & Chief Executive, was held on the 6 February 2025.
After a warm welcome and opening remarks from Andrew Gower, the meeting began firstly hearing from Ben Verinder, MD, Chalkstream who presented to the group insights into market research on higher technical qualifications. BV highlighted the current landscape, with overall declining recruitment trends in certain areas and challenges such as competition from university foundation degrees and low employer engagement. BV emphasised that students prioritise course content, location, and job prospects over cost.
A partner round table update then followed where partners could share any updates on HE in FE provision and related issues. Institutions shared updates on their HE provisions, including curriculum developments, online learning expansions, and new partnerships.
After a comfort break, we then heard from Rebecca Mameli, Head of Research and Qualification Development, Pearson, who presented to the group with an update on Higher Technical Qualifications including approval updates with 43 Pearson Higher Nationals now have HTQ approval.
This was followed by a presentation from Dr Arti Saraswat, Senior Policy Manager, Higher Education, Association of Colleges who presented to the group an update on HE policy and regulation firstly setting the scene and emphasising the evolving policy landscape under the current government including regulatory changes affecting higher education, upcoming policy and funding considerations.
Finally, Linking London thanked Andrew Gower for all his work and chairing our HE in FE meetings since March 2022. Andrew will be moving on to Bishop Grosseteste University as VC and CEO. The group wished him all the best for the future.
The date of the next HE in FE meeting will be in will be in the Summer term, 22nd May, 2-4pm.
Further Information
RECORDING, SLIDES AND MEETING NOTE
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