To think we should have never got rid of the Polytechnics

[FckBoris]

Was just wondering this today. I was speaking with my friend whose son is about to leave school this year and is unsure about uni.

I keep reading about how we have a real shortage in all the key occupations which were technically rather than academically skilled.

Dh went to the former Sheffield Polytechnic and is now at the top of the company he works for and he struggles to find skilled new recruits.

AIBU to think we should bring these back as an alternative to university?

Isn't that Sheffield Hallam now?

They still exist.... all the term 'university' means is that they award their own degrees rather than having them validated by another organisation.

I knew they became unis but dont they focus now more on the academic subjects like geography and history, than the trades.

Hallam (and other post-92s) still offer lots of vocational degrees: construction, engineering, event management all Hallam departments amongst others.

Yes they also offer 'academic' subjects but they always did - dh did History at a Poly in the 80s. Don't forget they're also a lot bigger than they used to be.

I attend a former poly and it offers more vocational and accredited degrees than a traditional red brick. There is an RG uni in my home city and I'd rather be doing my degree with its excellent employability than English lit in the RG.

A lot of the Poly's became unis, but many "technical colleges" are still around and offer what you are talking about. Guildford College for example (which just happens to be local to me, and I went to it 30 years ago), runs a huge number of vocational courses, as well as apprentiships and degree apprentiships. Actually I think there seems to be a much wider choice than ever before, which is really positive if you don't want to go the university route.

Nothing wrong with an English degree from a RG university, mine’s sorted me out a decent living for 35 years!