England’s further education sector could make a greater contribution to UK education exports if data collection on internationalisation activities in colleges were improved, the leading voice for colleges in the country has suggested.
The Association of Colleges has recommended that support for colleges to export and innovate must be increased and student visa policy be reviewed.
“The export potential of the UK’s skills sector – and the central role of colleges – must be given more government support to boost capability and capacity,” the report reads.
It emphasises that renewed efforts should focus on securing Chinese Ministry of Education recognition for UK colleges, which will “make doing business in China easier”.
“Inward investment strategy should pitch England’s college network as local training and delivery partners for overseas companies,” it added.
Two other key recommendations featured in the document are about immigration policy and student mobility.
“There must be a coherent and cohesive national strategy that aligns employer needs, skills training and immigration policy for the future,” AoC said.
A government-led national ESOL strategy should coordinate support for those whose first language is not English, in a bid to improve integration and labour market access, it added.
“The UK needs to ensure its young people are not left behind our closest neighbours in Europe”
A greater range of college courses should be funded to support asylum seekers in the country, especially progression to higher level qualifications.
Current visa policy for students creates a “regulatory burden” for colleges and hampers their international recruitment aims, it continued.
New trade agreements should also include more reciprocal youth mobility schemes.
“The UK needs to ensure its young people are not left behind our closest neighbours in Europe, and that it provides opportunities which are equitable and go beyond qualifications alone,” the paper says.
Rejoining the Erasmus+ program would benefit EU/EEA student and staff mobility and the Turing Scheme should be retained as a “‘rest of the world’ scheme, celebrating the UK’s strong ties across the world”, it added.
“Additionally, short, unpaid vocational work and teaching placements should be permitted through UK visitor immigration routes in the same way that short-term study is currently permitted.”
