In this context we draw attention to the national skills shortage in certain technical computing areas. We suggest that this is one area that could be targetted. We comment here on the importance of having appropriate and adequate management information systems to support the use of smartcards, learning accounts and CATS schemes. If qualifications are to become truly portable between institutions and throughout a learner's lifetime, then powerful systems are needed to track and manage this information. Such systems will need to interwork fully with existing systems in use in HEIs and elsewhere.
Adequate funding is needed and work on system design needs to be started early.
See our comments about technical IT skills shortages under chapter 2 above. See our comments about suitable management information systems under chapter 2 above.