John, who is in the south-east of England, believes that tertiary education in the UK is failing. He thinks it is not suitable for the UK economy and labor market. Currently, there is a strong emphasis on pushing young people into academic university courses, which leads to a social stigma for those who choose non-academic options. Technical qualifications are also failing many young people, especially in areas like business rather than STEM or engineering. John believes that a complete rethink is necessary, with a focus on sub-degree level tertiary qualifications and blended learning ideas. He also suggests rethinking the role of six-form colleges and the government's perception of universities as the route to good employment. Instead, there should be a shift towards developing key skills in STEM and engineering to prepare young people for the changing job market. John believes that radical and revolutionary change is needed in the education system.
