Higher Education and Student Financing Sub-Committee: Terms of Reference.

STATES OF JERSEY

HIGHER EDUCATION AND STUDENT FINANCING SUB-COMMITTEE: TERMS OF REFERENCE

Presented to the States on 13th June 2017 by the Chief Minister

STATES GREFFE

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REPORT

This Sub-Committee was set up to look at Higher Education provision and support for Jersey students.

This is the subject of a current Scrutiny Report, whose main recommendation is that Jersey considers a student loan scheme. Because of the affordability issues across the board with this proposal, this Sub-Committee will look at all options, their costings, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Terms of reference for Higher Education Sub-Committee

Review previous documentation on Higher Education funding to see what has been considered, and the reasons why schemes have been discarded.

Examine  all alternative  mechanisms  for funding Higher Education so that all students with the ability to go to university can do so. This could be alternative funding mechanisms and alternative schemes such as –

1. A bursary scheme where students apply to States' departments for support throughout their degree course and are offered work experience in the holidays. This could mean that departments are able to put succession planning into place more effectively with the clarity of knowing where gaps will be occurring.
2. A similar bursary scheme to the above, but for industry/business with the States of  Jersey  part-sponsoring  industry  schemes.  These  would  be  run  (within guidelines) by the industries/companies who know where the gaps will be in the short term. Ideally, this would also include work experience in the holidays. This could build early relationships between industry and students, and ensure that higher-level appointments can be made using local candidates with relevant skill sets and training.
3. Invest more in what we currently do and what is already successful –

1. Jersey Graduate Teacher Training Programme ("JGTTP") – look at current and  future  teaching  shortages,  and  also  at  strengthening  development training in subject areas, to encourage  people  with a  passion  but not necessarily the subject expertise required to teach.
2. Nurses training scheme –  look at increasing number of cohorts  going through existing training and also look at new potential areas. This would need to be looked at in conjunction with Health and Social Services, as there would be other considerations as well, such as staffing in the training centre.
3. Higher Education scheme for social workers – this could be done along the same lines as the nurses' scheme so that work experience is gained as well. This would need to be looked at in partnership with Health and Social Services and Probation.

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4. Higher-level  apprentices –  moving  on  from  the  highly  successful Trackers' programme – we could look to offer the next stage of training to degree level. This would produce graduates that are already successfully employed, and more than ready for any graduate roles.

4. Given the uncertainty of fee increases in the UK, the States of Jersey could offer a trial year in Caen for a small number of students, to allow them to study French to a sufficient standard such that they could go on and study a degree at Caen University. Aside from the transferable skills that would be gained from this experience, the fees for the degree would be free, irrespective of Brexit and any decisions taken by the UK. The students would in return agree to write a blog about their experiences for sixth-form students to follow. We could also look to other European countries for degrees taught in English in order to expand the affordable offering for Jersey students.
5. There is currently a very successful Masters scheme, Jersey Bursary Scheme, and we could look to replicate that for undergraduate study, by offering a set number of places and a set amount of assistance in a fully competitive process.
6. Higher/degree-level apprenticeships in specific and targeted skills gap areas, where higher qualifications would be advantageous and help to limit inward migration.
7. Work with other Government departments, in particular Social Security, to look at critical skills so that Higher Education is not looked at in isolation from the skills gaps in Jersey.

Funding options

Examine a student loan system to provide funding for all students – looking at differing levels of funding and different repayment periods.

Continue with existing system with changes to rules and expansion of options – look  at  different  on-Island  and  off-Island  options,  including  higher/degree apprenticeships. This could also have some element of partnership working.

Look at a hybrid system that incorporates a student loan, a student savings scheme, and aspects of the existing system.

Reporting

A progress report will be published in July 2017. Membership

Chief Minister

Minister for Treasury and Resources

Minister for Education

Assistant Minister for Education ( Deputy A.E. Pryke of Trinity ) Treasurer of the States

Chief Officer, Education Department

Director of Schools and Resources, Education Department.

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