Collaborate with industry on training, government urged

03 Nov 2009

An expert has called on the government to find out from industry what students need.

The government has been urged to collaborate with the business sector in order to understand what makes students appealing to employers.

According to Sue Fieldman, regional editor of The Good Schools Guide, there is a lot of confusion in the higher education sector.

Commenting on the recent decision by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to ban a campaign by the government claiming that the Advanced Diploma is accepted by all universities, she said it was an "absolutely correct" call.

"It was a blatant piece of ''puffing'' and if any private entity did that they would be up in front of the Advertising Standards Authority within ten seconds," she commented.

"They are not accepted everywhere at all, certainly not at the top universities, and will not be for some years."

Ms Fieldman went on to call on the government to contact big trade federations across major industry sectors to find out what is right for students.

Those wishing to undertake GCSEs and A-level courses can do so via distance learning.