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Wendy Alexander Urges Colleges To Improve Education And Training In Electrical And Electronic Engineering
28/11/2000
Scotland's colleges must review their teaching and improve student achievement in Electrical and Electronic Engineering courses urgently to ensure that tomorrow's industry obtains the skilled workers it will need, Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Wendy Alexander said today.
Welcoming a report by HM Inspectors on the teaching of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in further education colleges, Ms Alexander said that although aspects of provision were good, there were important weaknesses which gave her cause for concern.
Ms Alexander said:
"Electrical and Electronic Engineering is a very important sector of our economy and a significant provider of employment for many people.
"It is the basis on which considerable prosperity is founded. To compete in world markets employees must be well trained, flexible and able to match the skills of employees anywhere in the world. Colleges have a central role in providing that training.
"This report shows that colleges have worked well with industry to produce a good range of programmes and have provided routes to allow students and trainees to progress into higher education. I am encouraged at the high quality of practical work in some areas and in the opportunities which are available to develop core skills.
"However, there are a number of important issues which colleges require to address. As the report recommends, colleges need to:
- make sure that they place students on the correct level of programme.
- look closely at the reasons for poor retention and student success, and take steps to improve them;
- improve the learning and teaching approaches used in classrooms, laboratories and workshops; and
- use work placement to improve the employability of students.
"I expect colleges to review their Electrical and Electronic Engineering provision and address the weaknesses identified. This report presents a very challenging agenda which colleges must meet if our workforce is to continue to compete with the best throughout the world, our colleges can and must rise to the challenge."
BACKGROUND
- "Standards and Quality in Colleges of Further Education 1995-99: Electrical and Electronic Engineering" is produced by HM Inspectorate, on behalf of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council, as part of an agreement between both organisations. The report describes and comments upon learning and teaching in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and identifies good practice to encourage colleges to evaluate their own provision.
- The report is being issued today to colleges of further education, secondary schools, the teacher education institutions, the Scottish Further Education Unit, The Scottish Qualifications Authority and other interested bodies.
- Further copies of the report may be obtained from The Stationery Office, 20 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9EB, price £6 or at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/hmis/
News Release: SE3055/2000
28 Nov 2000