Education Secretary's Cuts to Higher Education Funding Justified - Alison CEO
In response to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s announcement of major funding cuts to higher education, a move that could result in the loss of up to 10,000 jobs in the sector, Mike Feerick, CEO of the global online learning platform Alison, stated that the cuts are justified and that the Minister is rightly prioritising more investment in workplace skills development. With 2.6 million registered learners in the UK, Alison is one of the largest players in the education and skills training sector in the country.
This move by the Education Secretary coincides with growing recognition internationally that employers are increasingly seeking candidates with demonstrable, job-ready skills, rather than relying solely on traditional academic qualifications. Feerick highlighted a recent study that supports the Minister’s decision. The study, published by the Oxford based Internet Institute, analysed 11 million job ads from 2018 to 2024 and revealed a clear shift toward skills-based hiring, especially in fast-growing sectors like artificial intelligence and green industries. The study findings indicate that employers are increasingly valuing specific skills over formal qualifications, and recommends leveraging alternative skill-building formats such as MOOCs, vocational education and training, micro-certificates, and online bootcamps to fully utilise human capital and address talent shortages.
This trend aligns with broader movements in the UK job market, where employers are increasingly moving away from requiring university degrees, focusing instead on practical skills, individual potential, and real-world experience. Firms like IBM, Accenture, and Kellogg’s are beginning to prioritise on-the-job abilities over formal education, known as breaking the “paper ceiling". With rising tuition costs, outdated curricula, and urgent demand for adaptable talent, employers are increasingly favouring practical competencies, soft skills, and on-the-job experience over academic credentials.
Commenting on the development, Mike Feerick, CEO and founder of Alison, said:
"This announcement by Secretary Phillipson may have surprised many, but we understand why it’s necessary. The current and future demands of the workforce are changing. Investment is required. Individuals need access to short, targeted learning that equips them with relevant skills quickly and affordably. Alison offers this at scale, with no financial barrier to entry. Speaking at the opening of the World Education Forum in London this week, Secretary Phillipson remarked that we must squeeze every last drop of value out of very pound of education funding, and technology will lead the way in this regard. I couldn't agree more."
As governments and employers adapt to an evolving global economy, Alison provides a proven and inclusive model for delivering accessible, job-relevant education at scale.
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About Alison
Founded in 2007 as the world’s first MOOC, Alison has developed into one of the largest free online learning platforms globally, serving over 45 million learners. Its mission is to make education accessible to all, empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge to transform their lives and careers. Alison provides over 5,500 free, CPD-accredited courses in areas such as business, IT, healthcare, sustainability, and soft skills. The platform enables learners to gain in-demand competencies without the time or cost commitments typically associated with higher education programmes. In addition to serving individual learners, Alison now offers a free Learning Management System (LMS) for businesses, enabling employers to manage employee upskilling in-house. This development allows organizations to deliver training more efficiently without the need to send staff off-site or invest in costly tuition programmes.
