Students asked to qualify in key skills

STUDENTS should pay higher university tuition fees if they fail to get an advanced-level certificate in six "key skills", the Confederation of British Industry has proposed.

Outlining plans for a "world-class qualifications framework for the millennium" this week, the CBI said that students doing A levels or Advanced GNVQs should be encouraged to sit a national certificate in communication, application of numbers, information technology, working with others, improving own learning and problem solving.

Tony Webb, CBI director of education and training, said: "One way this could be achieved would be by linking an element of public funding for higher education to attainment of the certificate. We have left the detail open to debate."

In its submission to the government's consultation on qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds the CBI calls for a skills passport. The A level would remain, but students would pick and mix from vocational qualifications.