New inquiry into specialisation in FE



Colleges are being given more freedom to make their own choices about what they do, and how they do it. At the same time, international competition from the BRICs and other developing economies is intensifying, and the economic contribution of colleges – getting people into jobs and driving demand in local labour markets – has been put under the spotlight like never before.

This inquiry will consider whether specialisation can improve quality of provision and foster innovation in response to these challenges. Just as our universities are world renowned for developing cutting-edge research, it will ask whether colleges can specialise and become world renowned for developing cutting-edge practice, commercialising their expertise and becoming business development partners for employers, particularly SMEs. It will also look at the implications of specialisation for teaching and professional development, curriculum design and governance.

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