Learning from industry: human resource development and the quality of lecturing staff in further education
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/09684889610146172 |
| Pages | 29-36 |
| Published date | 01 December 1996 |
| Date | 01 December 1996 |
| Author | Ros Ollin |
| Subject Matter | Education |
29
Introduction
In further education (FE), as in schools and in
higher education (HE), demands are being
placed on institutions and staff to perform to
high quality standards closely monitored by
government inspectorates. This increased
accountability is taking place within the con-
text of national policies to improve the quality
of vocational education and training and to
meet national targets for qualifications to be
achieved by the year 2000. The recent reviews
of the National Curriculum in schools (Dear-
ing, 1993), the 14-19 curriculum in schools
and colleges (Dearing, 1996) and the current
review of higher education (Dearing, to be
completed in 1997), have provided an oppor-
tunity to develop greater coherence between
the sectors. They have also highlighted areas
of curriculum overlap, as for example GCSEs
and A-levels which are taught both in schools
and colleges, and areas of cultural difference
between the sectors, in particular, the rela-
tionship between the educational and voca-
tional functions of each sector. Further edu-
cation, derived traditionally from the demand
to educate and train at craft and technical
level, has greatly widened its role in the last 20
years from vocational training to adult educa-
tion and to an increasing range of academic
subjects, some, through university franchise
agreements, at degree level. It is, therefore
providing some of the same broad “educa-
tional” opportunities as other sectors, while
being specifically identified by the govern-
ment as a major player in vocational education
and training. The environment in which this
takes place has been encouraged by various
government measures to take on the nature of
a business as opposed to an educational estab-
lishment. Colleges have been incorporated
since 1993 and are responsible for their own
property and staff. Further education corpo-
rations in England and Wales have to agree
their strategic plans with their local training
and enterprise council (TEC) to ensure that
plans are in line with the economic regenera-
tion and training needs of the area.
Quality assurance and human resource
development
The third White Paper on Competitiveness
(DFEE, 1996) clearly identifies the need for
FE to undergo rigorous quality assurance,
combining external inspection, self-assessment
Quality Assurance in Education
Volume 4 · Number 4 · 1996 · pp. 29–36
© MCB University Press · ISSN 0968-4883
Learning from industry:
human resource
development and the
quality of lecturing
staff in further
education
Ros Ollin
The author
Ros Ollin is Senior Lecturer in Education, University of
Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK.
Abstract
Discusses the current situation in further education, which
is being driven by funding pressures associated more
traditionally with the cultures of business and industry.
Argues that, while human resource development has
become a high priority in a sector where the quality of
service relies on the quality of staff involved, colleges
appear to be heading towards a situation in which the
lecturing role is being deskilled. Compares these trends
with current approaches to human resource development
in the industrial sector and suggests that further education
should learn from industrial practice before long-term
quality suffers.
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