Citation
(2003), "Bridging the Gap between Higher and Vocational Education", Education + Training, Vol. 45 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2003.00445bab.004
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Bridging the Gap between Higher and Vocational Education
Bridging the Gap between Higher and Vocational Education
City & Guilds and the Universities Awarding Council have joined forces to bridge the gap between higher and vocational education and bring foundation and honours degrees within easier reach of more people. The initiative aims to provide a clearly defined pathway to university and higher education through vocational qualifications specifically for the HEI sector. These include higher professional diplomas and master professional diplomas which cover over 15 professional and vocational areas, for example:
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personal development;
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hospitality and catering;
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engineering;
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land-based management; and
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information management using IT.
According to Chris Humphries, Director General of C&G, HPDs can be used as a staging post qualification towards a full foundation degree. Pitched at levels 4 and 5 on the NVQ framework HPDs are flexible to allow them to be used as credit bearing modules within HEI programmes or as stand-alone certificates for the units candidates have completed. The MPD has been designed for those who have achieved a higher level qualification and are looking for further professional development. The diploma enables candidates to work towards a masters degree.
These programmes developed with input from employers and National Training Organisations are now available to universities and colleges throughout the UK following a successful pilot with HEIs. HPDs and MPDs can be funded through Learning Skills Councils on a discretionary basis. At the time of writing, C&G is working towards obtaining QCA accreditation for the full range of topics by Easter, 2003.