Memorandum 5
Submission from Milton Contact
RE: FUNDING
FOR EQUIVALENT
OR LOWER
QUALIFICATIONS (ELQS)
I advocate the continued support for institutions
for students taking second qualifications of an equivalent or
lower level (ELQs) to their first qualifications. This is in my
capacity as someone who has been an employee of a technology SME
and who is now director of their own small business with a totally
different portfolio to their original training; who is embedded
in the business networks in Cambridgeshire; who works with international
business delegations coming to the UK. I cite three reasons from
my perspective:
1. The United Kingdom's international advantage
due to technology, flexibility and adaptability of businesses
and employees to changing circumstances is being challenged by
the growth of entrepreneurs in the new EU accession countries,
the Indian and Chinese economies and their increasingly educated
workforces. Retraining or additional training of individuals in
the workplace will be essential for us to keep ahead. Continued
support for ELQs will benefit the UK internationally.
2. Due to rapidly changing markets in both
the private and public sector within the UK, the demand for retraining
or gaining new skills as careers change or adapt will increase.
Additional qualifications needed may be in totally new areas and
at an equivalent or lower level. Continued support for ELQs is
integral to progressing the UK economy.
3. 67% businesses in the United Kingdom
have 0-4 employees, 96.4% businesses have 49 employees or less
(National Statistics 2007). Such small businesses have the greater
ability to respond to changing market forces quickly. Continued
support for ELQs complements the needs of the UK's micro, small
and medium enterprises.
I hope this is of assistance to the committee
and good luck with your deliberations!
January 2008
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