§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that all university students have relevant computer skills before they commence their course. [54688]
§ Mr. MudieThe requirements for university entry are a matter for the individual institutions to decide.
The Government recognise however the importance of key skills, including IT skills, and want to move as soon as possible to a position where they are a normal part of everyone's post-16 education and training. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is currently piloting a single key skills qualification in schools which includes IT as a constituent element.
The Department has also been encouraging universities and their admission tutors to consider a wider set of qualifications and skills, such as IT, than those traditionally considered for entry. One such initiative is the UCAS Tarif Project, which has received substantial Government funding and whose proposals have been considered and supported by Minsters in principle.
In addition, the Department is funding a number of development projects working with universities to explore and promote the acquisition of key skills (including IT) as part of university study.