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Since publication of the Leitch Report in 2006 there has been a flurry of interest and activity in encouraging higher education institutions to engage more effectively with employers in the delivery of higher level skills. During this time a large amount of policy and research has been produced yet seldom has this material been compiled and reviewed to draw out common themes and issues.
As part of the South West Higher Skills project, managed by HERDA South West with funding from HEFCE, an extensive review of this literature has been completed and is now freely available. The report is structured around seven key themes: higher skills context, market, systems, culture, promotion, pedagogy, and leadership and management.
Within each section, key research findings are considered in relation to employers, HEIs, policy makers, skills brokers and learners. Overall conclusions and recommendations for each of these groups are summarised at the end of the report.
The literature reviewed in this report reveals that there are no easy answers or quick fixes to the issues of employer engagement and higher skills development. Whilst the benefits and opportunities are many, so too are the risks and challenges.
In presenting a summary of perspectives it is hoped that this report will help sensitise the reader to important concerns and considerations so that they are better able to judge what may or may not be appropriate within a given situation.
The Executive Summary and Full Report are both available to download.