Further Education: Predictions about the Future Available to Purchase

Examines issues facing further education in the UK in a climate of dwindling resources, in which greater efficiency and effectiveness will have to be achieved as colleges move out of local authority control. Proposes significant changes to institutional structures and management and suggests local, regional and national strategies through which the proposed new funding councils, the colleges and other providers of vocational education/training might work effectively in partnership. The merger of small colleges into large, multi‐sited institutions is seen as fundamental to the achievement of maximum efficiency; and strongly advocates the development of inter‐institutional “networks”to maximize opportunity for students/trainees. Makes a strong case to Government to further rationalize the present highly disparate system of vocational education/training under the control of a single Government department. Based on the arguments set forth, makes a number of predictions about the future shape and role of the system.