Location: Holyrood, Committee Room 2

Minutes of Meeting 9th December 2009 Cross Party Group on Skills

Date: 9th December 2009 at 1pm Location: Holyrood, Committee Room 2 Present: Alliance of Sector Skills Councils John Park Jacqui Hepburn Scotland Scottish Labour Party MSP Patricia Association of Accounting Technicians SECTT McDonagh Alan Ross Chartered Institute of Bankers in Shona Matthews SQA Scotland Joe Wilson Colin Construction Skills Scotland Graeme Ogilvy Scottish Training Federation Dalrymple Stephanie E-Skills Michael Kowbel Skills Development Scotland Young Sheila Lifelong Learning UK Marian Healy Skills for Logistics McCullough Susannah NSCC John McKinney Universities Scotland Lane Walton Unite the Union Pantland

Non-members Attending: Loch Lomond & Trossachs Community A4E Dorothy Hewat Ron Dalton Partnership Ann Manzi, Mark Barnardo’s Scotland Rathbone Jim Murphy Ballard

Apologies received: A4E Scotland Gerry Croall Lantra Willie Fergusson Neil Cuthbert / Stuart Ritchie / Alan Association of Scotland's Colleges Learning Teaching Scotland Jane Polglase Runcie Elizabeth David Doig / Gillian Barnardo’s Scotland OPITO McShane Black Bio Reliance Louise Rice ProSkills Linda McCourt

Bio Industry Association Scotland Dr Sarah Goulding Scottish Conservative Party Gavin Brown MSP Chartered Institute of Bankers in Simon Thompson SCQF Aileen Ponton Scotland Construction Skills Scotland Philip Ford SCVO Celia Carson Caroline Creative & Cultural Skills Skills for Logistics Chris Campbell Parkinson

COGENT SSC Barry Neilson Scottish Renewables Forum David Cameron Elaine Bone/ Economic Development Association Irene Bell / Anne Scottish Union Learning Sylvia O’Grady [Scotland] Meikle Edexcel John Dick Scotch Whisky Association Alison Galbraith

Federation of Small Businesses Martin McIntyre The Open University Scotland Lorraine Hunter

ICS Joanne McManus Agenda Items:

1 Welcome: John Park opened the meeting by welcoming everyone in attendance 2 Apologies: JP explained that co-convenor Gavin Brown was unable to attend but that he was hoping to be joined by fellow MSP David Whitton later in the meeting. David had recently been appointed Shadow Finance, Sustainable Growth and Skills for Labour. JP also noted that a number of MSPs were understandably focused on the live coverage of the pre-budget report. There were no additional notes of apologies from the floor 3 Minutes of the previous meeting: There were no points of accuracy or omission raised. 4 Matters arising: 4.1 Ron Dalton of Loch Lomond & Trossachs Community Partnership asked whether the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils had now issued all its sector reports? Jacqui Hepburn confirmed that in additional to those circulated in the last CPG bulletin, there were now 23 out of 25 profiles completed. Members may access more information at the Alliance’s website: www.sscalliance.org 4.2 JP noted the success of the last meeting’s presentation by Barnardo’s and asked their representative Anne Manzi for an update. Anne thanked CPG members for the support they had shown, particularly John McKinney and Jacqui Hepburn for their promotion of the Project works programme. The project will feature at the SSC conference in February. It has also been included in the Skills for Logistics newsletter and has been highlighted by SDS. She was also pleased to report that all the young people who had attended the CPG meeting were doing well. However, it remains difficult to sustain the list of employers and specific difficulty is still found in trying to include local authorities to the scheme. Two new services have been set up: one in Edinburgh with 9 young people and there are plans for Glasgow to set up in early 2010. Highlands and Islands are looking at a rural initiative with interest in Skye and the Cairngorms. Anne wished to thank the CPG again for their support. [A full update report from Barnardo's is included in Appendix 2] JP noted that there was some work also underway at the Parliament, hopefully in this way leading by example for the rest of the public sector. It looked certain there would be at least one placement and potentially this could lead onto a Modern Apprenticeship. Graeme Ogilvy of Construction Skills Scotland asked what uptake had been like from local authorities noting that other programmes faced the same problem and that this was an issued that must get sorted. Anne explained that the uptake was slow, particularly amongst the younger age group. JP agreed that it was necessary to look at how benefit clauses were being used. He welcomed any positive examples of use to be shared with him, including examples of procurement measures hindering such uptake of programmes. 5 AAT Paper on Qualification Frameworks 5.1 JP introduced Pat McDonagh of the AAT to open the next item on the Agenda, explaining that there was common recognition of the issue of educational framework differences at the last meeting and agreement to revisit at this session. 5.2 Pat explained that in her paper [Appendix 3] the aim had not been to answer the question but to raise it, stressing there was no intention of suggesting one framework over any of the others. However it should be acknowledged that there is a 4 nation strategy in education and therefore there are 4 national frameworks. But the workplace invariably moves faster and the bodies responsible for frameworks are not necessarily keeping up. In her own sector of accounting Pat explained that some SVQs had been withdrawn from the framework due to low numbers in uptake. AAT is now also offering qualifications via the QCF. Pat asked whether also we will need to operate different frameworks within Europe? The matter of what skills are needed and how best to facilitate this should be central to the framework development. 5.3 Jacqui Hepburn of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils had some concerns about the issue, feeling it was necessary to highlight the differences between the frameworks, for example the SCQF being a voluntary framework. Jacqui added that Sector Skills Councils [SSCs] provide intelligence and work with organisations to support the design of qualifications, however in England they are part of the process to endorse qualifications. SSCs are building relationships with the relevant bodies but there is still some way to go. It was agreed that the Alliance needs to communicate what work is being done with the frameworks to a wider audience. It was noted that if looking at a federal model, many parties are looking at the SCQF as one of the more flexible models to work from. 5.4 Joe Wilson of SQA explained that he was speaking for the awarding body part of SQA [as opposed to the accreditation arm]. He too had some concerns about the issues raised in the paper, wondering whether this might be related to the question of access to funding? As a body, the SQA’s aim is to drive towards skills sets and not to separate out particular vocational routes. This was something that Professional bodies could provide for example. Was the question really whether awards are being recognised and funded? If so there is a need to convince the relevant bodies to address this issue. 5.5 Jacqui Hepburn noted a paper released in October, agreed by Government, that clarifies the approach to competency based qualifications. There exists flexibility for qualifications to be submitted as long as evidenced. 5.6 Pat McDonagh asked whether the QCF would adopt an approach similar to that of the SQCF? Joe Wilson responded that this was not being suggested however the European Qualifications Framework was looking at the SCQF as an example of a good starting point. Pat wondered how interested parties might hear how these would be coming together. Joe explained that discussions are ongoing but yes there will be some communications issued. 5.7 Marion Healy of Lifelong Learning UK asked whether there was equivalency across the 4 distinct frameworks. She explained that as national occupational standards [NOS] are redeveloped, they are done so following the four nation strategy. As each nation has its own set of needs, Marian questioned whether there will be a process for transition put in place, adding that there is clearly a need for the issue of equivalence to be more easily understood? 5.8 Graeme Ogilvy highlighted that the construction sector holds the largest portfolio in SCQF. Construction Skills has made sure their sector needs are understanding by way of a memorandum of understanding and work in partnership to ensure the needs are met through the qualifications available. In his experience he would suggest that the SCQF model is the envy of 2 out of 3 of the other framework bodies! There is a need to adopt a strategy for lifelong learning to ensure available training is not just at a vocational level. There needs to be more work done with universities to deliver and blend learning. All levels of education need to be involved. Graeme reminded the group of Scotland’s unique position where the percentage of those qualified to a higher educational level outnumber those with basic qualifications and that really we are discussing the issue of skills utilisation. 5.9 Sheila McCullough of Skills for Logistics explained that she is engaged with the Alliances of Sector Skills’ Council for Administration’s work to development qualifications in Scotland. SM did not recognise the problems outlined in the paper in her sector, commenting on the many fora that liaise across the UK to support simultaneous development. It is the objective of the SSCs to have the relevant local knowledge about skills needs and to keep this constantly updated. Ian Rodgers of the Scottish Decorators Forum agreed with Sheila, noting that in his experience the education committees that design and award qualifications feel what we have available in Scotland is enviable. Susannah Lane of Universities Scotland asked whether it might not be best to align with the European framework, with the SQCF providing a good model for this?

5.10 John McKinney of NSCC highlighted that in some sectors, such as construction, the methods of the trade are different in Scotland. Therefore there remains a need for different qualifications to support these differing skills sets.

5.11 Jacqui Hepburn noted that the SCQF offers a leaflet for employers. Work is being done to put into the context of each sector. She was not aware of any similar work being done with any of the other frameworks. JH asked whether SCQF was being put forward to take over the other frameworks – something that had been suggested by one Government due to the recognition of formal and informal learning.

5.12 Alan Ross of SECTT felt that although the paper presented was superb, he could not agree with it. The problem is wrestling with employer recognition and whether they will accept qualifications from another framework.

5.13 Marian Healy commented that the NOS should be the bedrock upon which qualifications are drawn up and therefore there is a need to be benchmarked. 5.14 Pat thanked fellow members for all their views stressing that she was not an advocate of any particular route. The paper simply reflected her own experiences and she was in total agreement with Marian that there is a need for increased clarity.

5.15 Joe Wilson noted that there were credit transfer arrangements in place, but asked whether the issue arose around funding? Pat explained that in AAT’s case the issue was not about funding, there is not much available to them anyway. Jacqui Hepburn added that funding is an issue that does underpin some problems. For example, there is the ‘Train to Gain’ programme running in England but in Scotland a different approach is taken. Jacqui referred to a debate due to take place later in December that would review the future of public spending and which may support funding the equivalent of Train to Gain in Scotland post April. JP thanked Pat again for bringing the paper to the Group and all members for a engaging in a full and frank discussion.

6 AOCB 6.1 Moving onto AOCB, JP explained to the Group that, as there had been a change in personnel, the initial discussions to engage the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning were naturally affected by this. However, JP asked that members think how the Group might engage with the new Secretary and JP would invite Mike Russell MSP to attend a future meeting, possibly the AGM. JP would compile a document of the issues we have raised during our meetings and put forward –ideas/comments from the Group Members were most welcomed. Jacqui H mentioned that it was most important that current priorities do not reflect a commitment to lifelong learning or skills in the workforce. JP thanked Jacqui for this and asked that any additional idea be submitted to the Secretary.

6.2 JP noted that it was his intention to invite the Edge Foundation to a future meeting to discuss funding initiatives.

6.3 Alan Ross asked that the Group discuss skills utilisation and receive and update from the Parliamentary Committee. JP asked whether anyone was on this, with Jacqui responding that the Alliance has a representative on the Action Group. JP noted that skills utilisation was a common theme in our meetings and that even those with qualifications are not necessarily holding what the employers are looking for. It is essential that we get the right people along to this discussion and especially someone working on this issue specifically. Colin Dalrymple of the Scottish Training Federation suggested that Skills Development Scotland should be able to provide the update and comment on developments in competence based learning.

6.4 JP responded to a question submitted by John Dick of edexcel with regard to the seminar held earlier in 2009 on Apprenticeships. It had been agreed that an extra £16 million could be spent on MAs. From John’s own perspective the points agreed were something, however not all the suggestions presented were agreed. There is a wider budget discussion ongoing and will be necessary to monitor how this matter progresses. Jacqui H noted that on the matter of MAs there have been many events and presentations of evidence. Now it is a case of waiting to see the take up and this might not be as many as anticipated. There is a real problem in determining how best to capture the evidence base for next year’s submission. The programme is supply led not demand driven. The Alliance hoped to get MI up on their site soon working on SSC basis with SDS on where demand might lie. Part of evidence is reflecting that not only MAs required but bite sized learning. The employers are not needing ‘full fat’ qualifications and this is influencing spend on training.

Marian H added that the Government needs to accept that the public sector is growing and therefore there is a priority need to grow and develop the workforce. This could be helped by greater engagement with projects such as Barnardo’s Works. Mark Bollard of Barnardo’s agreed – this project worked with some of the young people hardest to reach and that need to be involved in the workforce. 6.5 JP noted that the CPG for Construction had re-established its sub-committee on skills. Graeme Ogilvy explained that the sub-committee was reinvented, improved and was not going to get bogged down in the issue of MAs, conscious of the need to not exclude graduates from discussions. GO referred to a critical paper on the future of funding to this sector noting that that none of the priority sectors can progress without the built environment [see Appendix 4 - kindly submitted by NECC].

7 Close and date of next meeting: As there was no further business for the Group to discuss JP thanked all members for their contributions and closed the meeting.

The date of the next meeting will be March 3rd commencing at 1pm in Committee Room 1 at the Parliament. Minutes of Meeting 9th December 2009 Cross Party Group on Skills

Appendix 1.

Cross Party Group on Skills

AGENDA

1pm. Wednesday, 9th December 2009

Committee Room 2,

The Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, Edinburgh

1. Welcome

2. Minutes of the meeting of 1st October

3. Matters arising

4. ATT paper on qualification: The Impact of the Separate Qualifications Frameworks in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland on Skills Development

5. A.O.C.B

 April Apprenticeship Conference – what happens next ?

 Re-establishment of the skils sub-committee of the CPG on Construction.

6. Meeting Close and date of next meeting Appendix 1

Cross Party Skills Group feedback from Barnardo’s Works Barnardo’s Scotland would like to thank all the members of the CPG Skills for the opportunity to present our work to the group, and the support we have received from group members. The young workers from Barnardo’s Works Dundee really enjoyed their opportunity to talk to the cross- party group, and hope you will be able to look into some of the issues they raised. The problems caused by switching between paid apprenticeships and unpaid work placements are a particular concern, and we would be keen to enter into further discussions in this area. Our work has been greatly helped by assistance from the following group members: John Park has been in discussion with Elizabeth McShane, AD Developments and Simon Watson, Head of Developments with Barnardo’s Scotland, and we hope that the negotiations John Park has been involved in result in the Scottish Parliament itself working with Barnardo’s Works soon offering a placement leading to a modern apprenticeship. John McKinney has been a fantastic ambassador for Barnardo’s Works Scotland raising the profile of the service within the construction industry. John has facilitated a range of publicity with articles featured in newsletters in: The Stone Federation of Great Britain The National Federation of Roofing Contractors National Special Contractors Councils John has also contacted Scottish CASEC/ Federation of Master Builders and SELECT (Electrical Trade Association) to ask if articles re our services could be published in their newsletters. He has also arranged for Barnardo’s to present at a Traditional Roofing Seminar in April 2010. John has also been liaising directly with ELO’s in Dundee, Edinburgh and Renfrewshire re potential leads for their services. Jacqui Hepburn from Alliance Sector Skills Council has also been a great support. She has met with Elizabeth McShane and Sheelagh Scott and has offered to facilitate meetings with directors of relevant Skills Sectors. She is also going to include Barnardo’s Works features and information in newsletters and at their conference in February. Sheelagh McCulloch, Council for Administration is going to feature a Barnardo’s Works Case study in a forthcoming newsletter. We also have meetings planned in December with Maggie Morrison, of Skills Development Scotland, and Mel Shepherd, of Construction Skills. Update on Barnardo’s Works’ services around Scotland Barnardo’s Works Dundee The 3 young people who presented are all still in employment and doing well. A graduation service was held on 12th December to celebrate 19 young people successfully completing the Barnardo’s Works Dundee programme. 4 young people from Barnardo’s Works and 2 from Barnardo’s Works Renfrewshire attended the UK Youthbuilding Awards where 2 were highly commended and 4 were commended. In addition 1 young person from Dundee won a local employability award and another won a local Evening Telegraph Award of Courage We are still managing to get new employers but it is very difficult in the current climate e.g. one of our partner companies ceased trading leaving a young person unemployed. It is more difficult to guarantee permanent employment and we have had young people who have successfully completed the 26 week programme but have not been able to stay in employment as no long term position available. We still having difficulty securing placements in the public sector. Negotiations are ongoing and we would appreciate any support with this area. We are awaiting payment from ESF for last year’s funding but that is taking some time. The accounting system creates a huge administrative burden, as back-up documentation is required for all expenditure, no matter how small. We had a meeting with Ian Hudghton, MEP re concerns and issues re ESF funding and this is being pursued further within the Scottish Government. Please get in contact if you would like more information this issue. Barnardo’s Works Renfrewshire The current economic climate has hit the construction industry heavily which is impacting on this service as the funding agreements are conditional in the work being in the construction and related industries area. Any support to open up opportunities would be greatly appreciated. Barnardo’s Works Glasgow Plans for this service are developing and meetings taking place as we speak. Service should be up and running early in the New Year. Martin Mathieson, manager of the Renfrewshire and Glasgow Service will liaise with John Dick who offered support for the Glasgow service following the last cross party group meeting. Barnardo’s Works Highlands & Islands Plans are in place to develop rural initiatives within Highlands & Islands providing a service to Skye and Cairngorms in the New Year. Barnardo’s Works Edinburgh This new project, run in conjunction with the North Edinburgh Trust, had their first intake of 9 young people at the start of December.

For more details contact Ann Manzi, Manager of Barnardo's Works Dundee, [email protected] or Mark Ballard (Assistant director , Policy for Barnardo’s Scotland) [email protected] Appendix 3

Introduction to the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) CPG on Skills at the Scottish Parliament Thursday 1 October 2009

= We are open to everyone because we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn and progress. With nearly 120,000 members worldwide, the AAT more than an examining body. It is a diverse membership organisation for accounting professionals. Founded over 25 years ago, the AAT is committed to the support, training, advice and development of accounting technicians worldwide. Our members work in companies large and small and contribute at all levels of the global economy. Demand for our qualifications and membership continue to grow: increasing over 12.5% over the last three years. Our learners come from a variety of backgrounds: many are already working in accounting roles and wish to improve and consolidate their skills, while others may wish to change career or work for themselves. More than one in ten of our students are aged under 18, choosing the AAT Accounting qualification straight from school as a vocational alternative to A-levels and/or a degree, and progressing directly to chartered accountancy study via our well-established and recognised progression route. From only taking graduates at entry level, ICAS now have a school leaver route for people who complete the AAT Accounting Qualification and become AAT full members. Indeed, in 2008, the Learning and Skills Council confirmed the AAT Accounting Qualification as the UK’s most popular further education course at Level 4 and above, with the AAT awarding three out of every five business-related qualifications at that level. The AAT aims to deliver competent accounting technicians, and designs its qualifications with this as its main driver. It continuously reviews the mechanics of its qualifications to ensure that they are as accessible as possible to learners and employers, by making them attractive to training providers, on whom we rely. This review enables us to work with qualifications policy and funding changes so that our qualifications remain well taken up.

= We help people and organisations develop and grow so that they can achieve their potential through collaborative hard work and shared success. Of course professional learning does not end on completion of a qualification and our members need to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date, if they are to stay relevant to the workforce. All our full members now participate in our outcome-based CPD scheme. To assist members in this change a number or interactive workshops were held, supplemented with master courses and online tools, to help members understand how to define and manage their own learning needs. The AAT’s network of 43 branches – including six outside the UK – also provided valuable opportunities for members to develop their skills and learn from fellow professionals. We also have an employer accreditation scheme, that recognises those organisations whose in-house training and development programmes proactively support the professional development of AAT members. As a result, AAT members working for accredited employers will automatically meet their mandatory CPD requirements by following their in-house training programmes and, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the ACCA, may meet their CPD requirements too. = We listen and innovate by taking notice of issues and ideas, wherever they come from, and pushing for positive change in our organisation and the accountancy sector. As a customer-centric organisation we must listen to the market and anticipate their needs and expectations. The development of e-learning and e-assessment models is central to our ongoing growth strategy, as is creating an online community. The AAT launched its first computer-based exam on 1 February 2008, and three further units were developed in 2009. We are also looking at how we can make best use of new e-learning and e-assessment developments to improve our support to students and training providers. At the end of 2008 over 93,100 members had registered for our online services, accounting for around 78% of our total membership – up from 65% in 2007. These services included student support tools and interactive CPD materials, to assist members whatever stage of their career.

= We set and raise standards by doing everything professionally and having a strong voice in the accountancy sector. The AAT has students and members in over 90 countries around the world and through our membership of organisations such as the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), plays an active role in raising the professionalism and educational standards of accounting technicians worldwide. A member of AAT staff has been appointed as a Technical Advisor to IFAC’s International Accounting Education Standards Board and drafted guidelines on the education and development of accounting technicians in emerging economies for IFAC’s Developing Nations Committee. This is an area in which the AAT has significant experience and in 2007, we worked with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) to develop a Local Government Accounting Certificate aimed at raising the financial skills and abilities of local government staff. The success of this project led, in 2008, to the creation of AAT South Africa – a 50/50 joint venture between the AAT and SAICA – to provide a new professional qualification and membership home for accounting technicians in South Africa.

= We can be trusted to be accountable to everyone we work with, transparent in the way we work and to demonstrate integrity in everything we do A robust ethical framework is vital if employers, and the public, are to continue to have confidence in our members and the professionalism of their work. In 2008, the AAT finalised a revised ethical code, in line with recommendations made by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), and tailored to the specific needs of all our members – including students. Supporting educational materials included an interactive online tool, with case studies covering the most common ethical dilemmas, to ensure that all members understand the new code. And finally, we also issued revised guidelines on the anti money laundering regulations which came into effect at the end of 2007 and have continued to play a key contributory role as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Supervisors Forum. Patricia M McDonagh Head of Education & Training Operations and Partnerships AAT Appendix 4

Proposal by Scottish Funding Council to cut funding for Architecture, Built Environment and Planning Briefing in respect of Architecture, Built Environment and Planning The Scottish Funding Council is inviting comment on its proposal to cut funding for the above area by 22%. This is set out on line at; http://www.sfc.ac.uk/news_events_circulars/Consultations/2009/SFC0509C.aspx The Funding Council is seeking to reduce the number of funding groups from 25 to 4. The effect of this for the Built Environment group is that the funding would reduce (on the basis of 2008/09 figures) from £6,415 to £5,000 per student – a cut of 22%. This is the largest of the cuts proposed to any sector and places Architecture, Built Environment and Planning in the lowest funding group – Group D. There is some concern about the evidence base upon which this proposal is founded. The Council is proposing to make a major change to the funding system based on incomplete evidence relating to only one year. Evidence Base The evidence base on which these proposals are based is unsound. The data, which forms the majority of the evidence, was submitted on voluntary basis and is incomplete, having been returned by only 72% of Scottish institutions and covering only 77% of Architecture, Built Environment and Planning activity funded by SFC. This did not include Glasgow Caledonian University which is the largest single centre of Built Environment education in Scotland. Even if the data were complete, it would be unsound to base such a fundamental change to the system on only one year’s worth of data. It is worth noting that the Funding Council itself proposes in the consultation document that future changes will only be considered if there is three years worth of data consistently supporting that change (paragraph 36 of the consultation document). Surely this should apply even more to the initial development of this new system than to the subsequent fine tuning of a system which is up and running. The consultation document refers at several points to the “use of judgement” to inform proposals. It is somewhat troubling that in the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning area, with the largest proposed cut of 22%, it was not felt necessary or desirable to consider the use of judgement. It is worth noting that built environment is in price group C in England, where universities (assuming they charge the maximum permitted top‐up fee) receive £7101 per student compared to the £5000 which SFC is proposing. When ‘Top-up fees’ were introduced into England we were lead to believe by the Scottish government(s) that Scottish universities would not be disadvantaged by this. The consequences of a 22% cut in funding would be far-reaching for programmes in this area and upon the following stakeholders; Government The Scottish Government targets on climate change could be severely impeded by a reduction in the number of Built Environment graduates who would be expected to lead in the areas of developing building standards, sustainable and energy efficient designs, implementing these solutions and the development of whole life costing/value. Its targets on housing may also be impacted upon by a reduction in the numbers of skilled professionals available to develop such initiatives and the already overstretched planning system could be significantly affected by even fewer planning graduates entering the public service. The government’s strategy of ‘investing in major infrastructure projects to support the growth of our key sectors’ cannot be delivered without an adequate supply of built environment graduates – ie quantity surveyors, planners, construction managers, planning engineers, procurement officers etc. Civil engineering projects do not just employ civil engineers – they draw from right across the construction sector – which includes the built environment professions. Employers Employers already contribute to the costs of educating and training their built environment staff through placement employment and through fees paid for part-time courses. These fees could rise to compensate for the reduction in funding. For a typical 5 year part-time programme the increase in fees could be as high as £1,132 per year. Universities University managers are likely to respond by seeking cuts in costs in built environment programmes. These are likely to be vertical (ie cutting out areas where savings can be made in sectors- ie whole degrees) so that contributing staff could be targeted for redundancy, rather than horizontal - cutting a little from all degrees. In selecting these areas they are likely to be attracted to those degrees which are either, relatively small (eg Construction Management1) or those which are more expensive to offer, perhaps because of space requirements or the research foundations which the programmes require. Subject which might suffer here include town planning and building surveying/building control. 1 This is just an example – universities may well have different portfolios with other ‘smaller’ programmes. Universities in Scotland may react differently to this reduced funding and seek to remove different programmes. If they all react along similar lines whole professions could be in difficulty as the supply of graduates reduces. Regionally however, the situation could be exacerbated by the fact that there is only one provider of built environment education in the West and one in the North of Scotland. Some programmes may only be deliverable part-time and at full cost to employers. Widening Access As the number of places declines in response to the fee level available it is inevitable that the market price (expressed in UCAS scores) for entry will rise. The number of places available for HND articulation may well reduce as the competition for places grows. Professional Bodies If universities are forced to cut whole degrees from their portfolios then some areas of specialism may be endangered, reducing the feedstock of graduates into certain professions like construction management, town planning and building surveying/building control. This could have severe impacts regionally as described above.

Peter Kennedy Dean School of the Built and Natural Environment Glasgow Caledonian University