University and workplace links 'to be strengthened'

Forming closer links between universities and the workplace form part of the government's new plans on higher education reform, it has emerged.

Announced by John Denham, secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills, the government is aiming to secure an extra 15,000 full-time students by 2011 which will be co-funded by employers and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

Some £7 billion has been allocated to the HEFCE for 2008 to 2009 by the government as it seeks to increase inaugural higher education student numbers by 60,000 by 2010 to 2011.

"I believe the opportunities of higher education should be open to all and I am confident that by increasing the number of students in higher education we will deliver a highly skilled workforce and world-class research to ensure an economically competitive UK fit for the 21st century," Mr Denham commented.

Recent figures from the Department for Work and Pensions revealed that 60,000 more Britons aged between 16 and 24 found employment during the fourth quarter of 2007.