Our proposals were shaped by SME HE providers themselves, who told us what support would have a positive impact on their businesses and on the students who choose to learn with them.
We called on the UK government to unlock the potential of SME HE providers to drive innovation, meet local training needs, and boost adult learning opportunities across a range of industries.
Four years on, these demands are still valid. SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy and essential for the success of so many industries. For SMEs to thrive in higher education and compete on a truly level playing field, we need to look afresh at a complex system of funding, regulation and support designed for larger universities and rebuild it from the ground up.