England engagement forum: addressing needs and challenges in higher and further education

Senior leaders from across higher and further education came together at Jisc’s England engagement forum to discuss their priorities, pressures and how we can best support the sector. Paul McKean, director of further education, skills and training at Jisc, reflects on the event.

A wide range of around 70 senior HE and FE leaders attended two engagement sessions, held at the University of Leeds and the University of Bristol – marking the return of an event last held in 2020. There was a clear appetite for discussion, with attendees representing a strong cross-section of the sector and offering valuable insight.

Jisc chief executive officer Heidi Fraser-Krauss shared updates on Jisc’s strategy and the work underway to deliver it. Chief technology officer Bella Abrams then presented Jisc’s infrastructure investment and innovation ambitions, designed to support the sector’s growing demand for digital, data, and technology services. The event then moved into workshop discussions on sector challenges and how Jisc can help address them. Here are some of the themes that emerged.

Leadership and staff development

I lead Jisc’s external training provision and heard strong demand for leadership development, staff capability building and improved support for students in digital vocational areas. There was also significant focus on defining the digital skills required for today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.

Discussions centred on supporting institutional decision-makers to understand how digital, data and technology can benefit their organisations. Institutions want digital upskilling at every level, including executive leaders, digital leaders, IT teams, teaching staff and professional services staff.

There was clear demand for practical training that addresses immediate challenges, and participants stressed the importance of embedding new skills and ways of working into everyday practice.

Challenges included limited organisational capacity in terms of skills, funding and time, which can hold back strategic transformation. Leaders also highlighted the need to strengthen digital leadership and governance across multiple levels. Attracting and retaining IT talent in a competitive market is a shared concern.

Jisc’s work in developing digital leadership and skills frameworks, alongside our training and shared learning opportunities, was recognised as valuable.

Financial sustainability

Leaders spoke openly about the economic pressures facing institutions, set against a challenging funding environment and shifting government priorities.

A common conundrum is that institutions are under pressure to demonstrate value for money, and expected to drive efficiencies through digital solutions – but limited funding restricts the ability to modernise digital estates and services.

In this context, Jisc’s role as a sector negotiator with collective buying power is important. Through our negotiations and frameworks, marketplaces and volume agreements, we reduce costs and procurement burden for members.

AI and automation

AI was a significant theme, and a dominant one. There is a wide range of AI maturity across organisations – some are keen to move quickly, seeing AI and automation as opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity and service delivery. Meanwhile others are more cautious, concerned about governance and risk.

Institutions want clear and consistent guidance on AI use, along with support to avoid fragmented or “shadow AI” approaches. Coherent strategies, strong governance and ethical frameworks are needed.

Jisc has a key role in convening the sector around shared principles, providing benchmarking and insight, and supporting safe, effective AI adoption.

Cyber security and data governance

Cyber security is closely linked to the rise of AI and automation, because as AI tools become more widespread, the risk of automated cyber attacks increases.

Leaders discussed the need to strengthen organisational resilience, address cost pressures associated with cyber security and build cyber literacy among staff and learners.

They value Jisc’s shared security services, assurance and testing capabilities, and our support in benchmarking and strengthening cyber maturity. There is also demand for guidance on balancing security with innovation.

Community, collaboration and shared services

Collaboration remains a priority. Institutions want stronger peer networks across HE and FE, more joined-up regional and national conversations, and opportunities to learn from each other and external partners.

Shared services and infrastructure were seen as ways to reduce duplication and improve efficiency, particularly in the context of financial pressure.

Jisc’s role as a neutral convenor and connector, and as a voice for the sector in conversations with government, regulators and funders, is highly valued. There was willingness to share more intelligence with Jisc to inform licensing negotiations on behalf of the sector.

I noticed that awareness of our licensing and negotiation capability is not universal. Increasing visibility of this work presents an opportunity for Jisc and for the sector.

Looking ahead

I left these sessions feeling energised, and enjoyed feedback that delegates valued the opportunity to step away from day-to-day pressures and engage in cross-sector dialogue. We look forward to updating members and continuing discussions when the forum reconvenes next year.

Next steps

Find out more about how Jisc supports organisations in England: