Students in Stourbridge quiz ministers on further education
Students were given the chance to quiz a Black Country government minister and former schools minister in a special Question Time event in Stourbridge.
The topic of the future on universities was high on the agenda at the Student Question Time Event which took place at Stourbridge College on Friday(8).
Among those on the panel was Minister of State for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Stourbridge MP Margot James and former Schools Minister and Labour Peer, Lord Jim Knight – and students were able to quiz them about their approach to higher education and how it could change the future.
The event was organised by the University of Wolverhampton and Aspire to HE – a partnership made up of the university, seven local further education college and 39 schools across the Black Country and Telford and Wrekin.
Ms James said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to debate the future of post-18 education alongside the other members of the panel.
"The young people in attendance asked some brilliant and thought-provoking questions, and I was very keen to hear their views on what the future of higher education should look like.
“I believe that the opportunities people have to continue their education are more diverse than ever before – with courses such as degree apprenticeships proving a worthy alternative for students.
“I am passionate about the new models for apprenticeships, and the forth coming T Levels, which will give students a vocational route into apprenticeships should they choose this path.
“My thanks to the University of Wolverhampton for allowing me to participate in this important discussion.”
University of Wolverhampton deputy vice chancellor and chairman of Aspire to HE Professor Jackie Dunne, BMET's interim chief executive Cliff Hall and BMET student Jason Nguyen also joined the panel. The Student Question Time event was hosted by ITV News' Sameena Ali Khan.
