The Welsh Office this week announced plans to create more than 10,000 university places, primarily for people from working-class backgrounds, in Wales over the next five years.
The drive to combat social exclusion in higher education forms part of a Welsh Office action plan to produce more skilled graduates to meet the demands of Welsh industry.
"We believe that social exclusion is driven by educational disadvantage and this needs to be addressed with equal vigour to that focused on developing the right skills base for the economy," said Adrian Webb, vice-chancellor of the University of Glamorgan and a member of the Education and Training Action Group, which drew up the plan for Wales.
The ETAG was established last year and comprises members from all areas of education and industry. The plan, which is expected to be implemented by the National Assembly for Wales when it is elected next year, proposes that 12,500 funded places be created and targeted at people from the lowest socio-economic classes.
It also suggests that higher education providers work with FE, schools and LEAs to increase access to study for all learners at all levels.
Social exclusion is a serious problem in Wales, where only 12 per cent of young people from social class five enter higher education compared with 80 per cent from the most advantaged group.
The ETAG recognises that the severe shortages of engineers, technicians and IT specialists suffered by Welsh businesses are because of the education system, which is putting expansion of the Welsh economy at risk.
The action plan recommends that the National Assembly find a way to increase the number of graduates in engineering and technology to meet the demands of industry.
Soapbox , page 16