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The Dearing Commission of 1997 investigated higher education (HE) in the United Kingdom (UK) in response to the changing environment in which HE had to operate. The Commission developed four main purposes for HE within which the issue of skill was raised. Key skills were identified as communication, numeracy and information technology skills. In addition, the Commission recognised that flexibility, adaptability, the ability to work in teams and self-manage personal and career development were skills increasingly required by the individual at work. This article examines the appropriateness of the concept of key skills, as defined by the Dearing Commission, in HE in the UK. The author begins by describing the elements of the changing environment in which HE operates in the UK and then discusses the changing ways of working in HE which may result from this environment. The Commission proposes the management of learning, not teaching and HE institutions not based on research. It is suggested that institutions must increase effectiveness and introduce work practices that meet the needs of individual students. The concept of ‘skills’ in itself is examined and key skills in particular as a specific change in HE. The Commission proposes that key skills, cognitive skills and subject specific skills be developed in every program offered by an institution. In conclusion, the appropriateness of this change to the system is explored.

This article is part of a special issue of the journal entitled ‘VET in transition: renewal, reform or reconstruction?’ The articles are indexed from TD/INT 60.109 to TD/INT 60.115. Show less