How will a new Labour Government define Higher Education?

As the UK welcomes a new Labour government for the first time in 14 years, it summons a new era for the Higher Education sector. Labour’s winning manifesto has pledged to ‘create a secure future for higher education’ , with Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, last Tuesday announcing that ‘under this new government, education is once again at the forefront of national life.’

In this first edition of IC Insights, we address what a new Labour win means for Higher Education across the UK as they introduce new policy reforms to support university graduate outcomes and ‘break down barriers to opportunity’ , to widen students’ access to employment.

Key Takeaways

• Labour seek to future-proof student talent and widen access to Higher Education opportunities.
• Labour will introduce curriculum reforms to prepare students with Green and Digital competencies.
• Work-based Learning solutions can support universities adapt to evolving Educational policy change.

New Higher Education Policy Landscape

Future-Proofing and Investing In Student Talent

By establishing a body called Skills England , Labour will invest ￡7 million in funding to bring together government departments, businesses, training providers and unions to support young people’s access to work-experience and apprenticeship opportunities. Incorporated within the Industrial Strategy Council and Migration Advisory Committee to identify labour skills, Labour hopes to empower Education providers to have greater control over developing graduates’ vocational skills and employment pathways.

As well as endorsing non-traditional routes into higher education, Labour also aims to create a ‘fairer deal for students and graduates’ , building on Labour’s historic legacy to support ‘50% of young people’ to attend university. By reviewing proposals such as a ‘month-on-month tax cut’ for graduates to start a less cost-burdened working life, Labour will support universities’ efforts to retain and increase students admission rates.

Preparing Young People For A Digital And Green Future

As part of Labour’s ‘national plan for skills’ , the government seeks to meet wider ambitions set out in the Industrial Strategy and Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan. The government will scale up initiatives to build students’ Green competencies & AI literacy, by working with UK schools, universities and colleges to innovate curriculums through embedding digital and green skills. Alongside helping Higher Education students to stay ahead of the pace of technological and environmental change, universities will also be encouraged to consider ways to integrate AI ethically and sustainably across the educational system from recruitment, teaching and learning to support student outcomes.

Widening The Domestic and International Talent Pool

The incoming Labour government and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson recently acknowledged International students’ ‘[valuable] contribution – to our universities, to our communities, to our country’ , pledging to upskill international talent in the UK through a Skilled-Work Route . However, a reformed point-based ?immigration system will place restrictions on foreign visa applications to prioritise local talent. By linking skills policy and immigration policy, the government seeks to address domestic skills-shortages in key areas such as IT and engineering, increasing the uptake of ‘skills-based’ degrees across UK universities.

Despite these changes, Labour have confirmed that they ‘will do everything we can to help [international students] succeed’ , offering ‘the opportunity to remain in the UK on a graduate visa for 2 years after their studies end – or 3 for PhDs – to work, to live, and to contribute.’ By extending the visa period, international post-graduate work experience opportunities are set to expand in the new academic year, supporting Higher Education institutions to globalise their graduates and develop students with in-demand cultural competencies.

Navigating New Policy With Work-Based Learning:

As Starmer enters No.10, UK Higher Education institutions will navigate new terrain on academic practice. The value of embedding guaranteed work-based learning opportunities in degree curriculums will become increasingly vital to universities as they recruit students in the post-election academic year. At Impact Consulting, we’ll continue to support higher-education providers to navigate new policy reforms by organising guaranteed work-based learning initiatives at scale:

Integrating Work-Based Learning Into Higher Education Curriculums

Embedding skills-based projects, including local and international internships, placements and dissertation projects that fosters a global and competitive Labour Market to elevate graduate outcomes.

?

Building Higher Education Partnerships With Industry

Boosting domestic and global students’ employability pathways by leveraging local and international company networks with in-demand and skilled industries.

?

Delivering Work-Based Learning Opportunities At Scale

Widening access and meeting demand for students’ experiential learning opportunities that bridge the gap between academia and industry across a variety of curriculums and year groups.

?

If you’re interested in how Impact Consulting can support your higher education institution elevate student recruitment and graduate outcomes post-election, please get in touch through our website.