1. ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Initial Plan

2. TO IDENTIFY FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENT PARTICIPATION Student backgrounds and age ranges Ethnicity Entry qualifications Modes of study Academic background Perceived barriers Aspirations Value

3. TO IDENTIFY FACTORS AFFECTING COMPANY PARTICIPATION Company size Support for HE Type of Engineering operation e.g. installation, maintenance, data cabling,etc.

4. Employer Attitudes & Perceptions to study in Higher Education

5. Size of Company

6. Summary of Companies Survey 42 Companies surveyed Majority employed less than ten staff None employed more than 250 staff

7. Summary of Companies Activities Two major activities Maintenance 76% Installation 74% Data cabling and Alarm systems were also major activities in the companies surveyed

8. Summary of Employer Qualifications Majority (62%) were qualified to Level 3 29% had qualifications at or above Level 4

9. Summary of important Criteria in Qualifications relating to Business Activity Employers ranked the following characteristics 1 – Technological 2 – Health & Safety 3 – Leadership & Management 4 – Financial 5 – Supervising Skills

10. Support for HE Qualifications

11. Training Scheme to Progress to HE

12. Student Attitudes and Perceptions to continued Study in Higher Education

13. The initial plan was to test the issues affecting student participation and it was anticipated that these would include : Student background and age range Ethnicity Entry qualifications Academic background Modes of study Perceived barriers Aspirations Value

14. The survey of over 200 students was divided between Modern Apprentices and other Level 3 learners. The interpretation of the data suggests the following as the main barriers to progression. Financial Constraints Family responsibilities and commitments Lack of a proper training structure with appropriate monitoring Low career aspirations Low values placed on qualifications – Acquisition of skills and competence are seen as more desirable than qualifications

15. The project concluded that a higher programme of learning for these students should include the following subject topics Technology Design Business and Management Studies Health and Safety

16. What’s next? We have developed a Foundation Degree in partnership with London South Bank University based on the research findings. This has been validated and will offered in January 2009.