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ACE welcomes the Government’s intention to create 10,000 new, fully-funded higher education places – but sounds a note of caution on the reduction of the student loan repayment holiday.
ACE has long argued that it is crucial for UK plc to have the sufficient skills to ensure Britain can rebuild a sustainable future. As part of this strategy ACE proposed funded places in higher education for engineering at the 2008 party conferences.
Nelson Ogunshakin, ACE Chief executive, said: “This announcement is very welcome, and we are pleased that the Government has taken our suggestions on board. Engineering is a highly rewarding profession to be part of, and there will undoubtedly be rising demand for these skills in the future. This latest announcement will do much to encourage a new generation of engineers into the system."
The decision by the Government to pay the student support costs for full time undergraduate entrants to science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects was announced by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on Monday. These extra places will be funded by reducing the five year repayment “holiday” on student loans to two years.
Nelson Ogunshakin added: "Engineers welcome any attempts to break down the barriers to the professions. Meeting the up-front costs of tuition can be a serious deterrent to young people from less affluent backgrounds, so the decision to pay student support costs for engineering students is a positive move.
“However, it remains to be seen whether reducing the loan repayment holiday will be the most effective way of funding these places. We must be wary about removing support options for new graduates who may wish to pursue post-graduate study alongside their work. Rash changes now risk creating a shortfall of professional skills later, and may dilute the benefit of the extra university places.”
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Further information from ACE senior communications executive Piers Nutbrown on 020 7202 0255, or email pnutbrown@acenet.co.uk
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