Consenting partners

Thank you for reporting our initiative to work together to offer a distinctive edge to graduates from Welsh universities ("Welsh plan to boost employability launched", www.timeshighereducation.co.uk, 19 June). You tweeted that it is "another markedly different approach to HE in Wales". This is true, but your implication that the plan presents an associated challenge to institutional autonomy is incorrect.

The four organisations involved have entered into this partnership freely, with much goodwill and intent. The agreement was drafted collectively rather than by the Welsh government, and the partners are now working with their respective constituencies to draw up the action plan that underpins this framework.

An action plan that delivers for the students and employers of Wales: this is something upon which we are freely united.

Luke Young, president, NUS Wales; Emma Watkins, director, CBI Wales; Amanda Wilkinson, director, Higher Education Wales; Phil Gummett, chief executive, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales