'Degree Creep' Evident in One-third of UK Businesses but Over Half say Such Qualifications Have Been Devalued

Home Learning College Urges Employers to Recognise Value of Vocational Qualifications

LONDON, May 17, 2010 - 'Degree creep' is causing employers to overlook valuable candidates,
according to research conducted by distance learning specialist Home Learning
College*. A survey of senior decision makers in UK businesses revealed that
32% have noticed degree creep in their industry - defined as an increasing
number of graduate-only roles - despite only 26% saying that graduates make
better employees.

The survey revealed that 56% of business leaders strongly believe degrees
have been devalued and do not guarantee high-quality employees. A further 51%
think that many degrees are worthless and don't merit the paper they are
printed on.

In response to recent higher education funding cuts and rising graduate
unemployment, Home Learning College is urging employers to combat degree
creep and pay greater attention to candidates with relevant vocational
qualifications. Research findings suggest that this approach could make UK
businesses more competitive, with 67% of business decision makers stating
that vocational courses are better at developing industry-specific knowledge
and skills than academic study.

Home Learning College Academic Director Dave Snow thinks it is time for
employers to re-consider their hiring strategies and give greater credence to
vocational qualifications. He comments: "The recent recession has only served
to exacerbate the trend of demanding degrees for positions that would
previously have been available to non-graduates. This would be understandable
if a degree was the best way of indentifying high quality candidates, but our
research shows that this is not the case. In fact, over half of respondents
said some graduates would have been better taking a more vocational route
into their industry.

"We are actively encouraging employers to think beyond degrees and to
develop more inclusive recruitment schemes that will indentify talented
individuals, no matter which educational path they chose."

For more information on Home Learning College please visit
www.homelearningcollege.co.uk.

*Conducted among 150 organisations, ranging from micro businesses to blue
chip companies with over 250 employees

About Home Learning College

Home Learning College is the largest vocational distance learning
provider in the UK, and is accredited by the National Union of Students
(NUS), allowing its 65,000 students to enjoy the discounts and services
available with the NUS Extra Card.

All Home Learning College courses lead to professional CV-enhancing,
employer recognised qualifications, including AAT, Sage, CompTIA, Microsoft,
ICB and CIW. Subjects covered include book-keeping, accounting, IT and
computing, web design and many more.

Home Learning College students benefit from a dedicated in-house tutoring
service and the Virtual Learning Community - an online learning environment
which facilitates the delivery of course material and peer networking.

For more information on all Home Learning College courses visit
www.homelearningcollege.co.uk

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Or check out student testimonials and other video content on our YouTube
channel: www.youtube.com/homelearningcollege

    Contact:
    Tor Goldfield
    Home Learning College Communications Manager
    Tel: +44(0)20-8676-6258
    Mobile: +44(0)7843-335606
    Email: tor.goldfield@homelearningcollege.com

Contact: Tor Goldfield, Home Learning College Communications Manager, Tel: +44(0)20-8676-6258, Mobile: +44(0)7843-335606, Email: tor.goldfield at homelearningcollege.com