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19 Jan 2010 16:01:42
University of Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon CBE has welcomed proposals to establish a UK Professional Forum to be led by Higher Education Minister David Lammy.
Speaking as chair of the think tank million+, Professor Ebdon was commenting on the Government’s response to Unleashing Aspiration, the final report from the Panel on Fair Access to the Professions.
The Forum is among a number of commitments given by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and Pat McFadden MP, Minister of State for Business, Innovations and Skills, in response to the Fair Access to the Professions Report. Other actions include the setting up of a Social Mobility Commission to be based in the Cabinet Office.
Professor Ebdon said: “I welcome the establishment of the UK Professional Forum and Social Mobility Commission. We need action to persuade employers and the professions that many current recruitment practices restrict opportunities for well-qualified students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
“Social mobility is about having opportunities to move into higher status occupations. Modern universities continue to deliver this. The biggest threat to social mobility currently lies in the mismatch between demand for university places and the funding available for additional student numbers. This needs to be resolved if Labour is serious about continuing to promote social mobility in a recession.”
Latest news» 2010» January» Social mobility plans welcomed by Uni Vice Chancellor
