§ Linda PerhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to develop stronger(a) links and (b) partnerships between higher education, training providers and the small business community. [136614]
§ Alan JohnsonOur plans for strengthening partnerships between higher education institutions, training providers and industry, including small86W business were set out in The future of higher education'published in January this year and also in '21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential' published in July.
Our plans include expanding Foundation Degrees which are designed with employers to meet their needs; support via the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) which includes setting up a network of Knowledge Exchanges to benefit local business communities; and, New Technology Institutes (Nils) to provide advanced technology skills.
We are also establishing Sector Skills Councils which will address sector skills needs and are also developing stronger arrangements at regional level between Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), business and education and training providers to develop strategies for tackling local and regional skills needs.