This week, the UK Government released its new Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, outlining a national vision for reforming further and higher education – with the goal of creating a more diverse, employer-aligned, and skills-focused education system.
It’s a blueprint that points to many of the same challenges NMITE was created to solve.
In an interview on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, NMITE Chair and Hereford MP Jesse Norman joined Evan Davis to reflect on the current state of higher education – and how institutions like NMITE are beginning to offer something genuinely different.
“What we’re trying to bring together [at NMITE] is the vocational energy, return on investment and the sense of engagement you’d get with an apprenticeship – but with the academic outcomes and fully proven master’s capabilities of a university degree,”, said Norman.
What was the whitepaper about?
A Response to the Skills Gap
The Government’s White Paper puts forward a wide-reaching set of reforms, aiming to:
- Align post-16 education with the needs of the labour market
- Close technical skills gaps
- Improve the relationship between education providers and employers
- Support economic growth through a rebalanced, more agile education system
How does it relate so well to NMITE?
The NMITE model offers a practical, proven response to the exact challenges being raised.
We’ve designed degrees differently – with employer input baked in, academic rigour maintained, and real-world projects at the heart of every module.
“Part of the problem with higher education at the moment is that it's not team-based,” Norman told Radio 4. “And current higher education doesn't help to prepare for that.”
In contrast, NMITE students learn through collaborative, challenge-led learning, developing the skills – and mindsets – demanded by modern industry.
Real-World Results in Just Three Years
“It’s thrilling to say that our first graduate cohort is almost entirely employed,” said Norman, “at fantastic companies like BAE, Balfour Beatty, and Mondelez.”
NMITE offers accelerated Master’s degrees in Integrated Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, meaning students graduate in just three years – ready to step into the world of work with real experience and industry connections already in place (not to mention reduced university fees in comparison to a standard Master’s).
And this isn't just theory.
Students leave NMITE with:
- Master’s-level understanding
- Employer-backed experience
- Confidence in teamwork, communication, and project delivery
- A CV that already proves their value
“We really are rigorous,” said Norman, “about expecting students to pass the academic tests that go with having a Master’s-type understanding of a subject.”
Creating Opportunity in the Cold Spots
Another key theme of both the White Paper and Norman’s interview was the importance of levelling up access to education and skills – particularly in areas traditionally underserved by higher education.
“We want to create a national institution,” he said, “but one that is really focused on regenerating a particular area.”
Here in Herefordshire – a rural county that’s long been a “cold spot” for HE – NMITE is building something different: a small, agile, and impactful alternative to traditional university models.
It’s hands-on, industry-connected, and open to those who might have been overlooked by more conventional academic routes.
The Bigger Picture
The Government’s new White Paper marks a turning point for post-16 education – with a clear call for greater diversity in delivery, closer employer links, and better outcomes for learners.
CEO James Newby remarked “It’s encouraging to see national policy increasing the focus on an HE sector that meets the country’s skills needs and creates more opportunities for regions outside London and the South East,” said James Newby, CEO “Our work proves that employer-connected, real-world learning delivers exceptional results for students and industry alike.”
NMITE isn’t the only answer, but we’re proud to be part of the solution.
📻 Listen to the full interview from 27 minutes: Jesse Norman on BBC Radio 4 PM – 7 October 2025
🔗 Explore the NMITE difference: nmite.ac.uk/nmite-difference
Want to know more?
- Explore NMITE’s degrees in full
- Apply direct – no UCAS needed.
- Call us on 01432 371111 for a chat (no bots, just real people)
Related blogs:
- Inside a 21st Century University
- Construction begins on NMITEs Centre for Innovation and Future Skills
