RCU helps FE colleges gain competitive edge with Vector 2.0

Leading educational research consultancy, RCU has updated and enhanced the popular Vector tool, currently being used by over 100 colleges.  

 Vector 2.0, has a whole host of new features and is even easier to use. It provides colleges with precise data on trends in current and potential learner volumes, market share and competitors, helping them gain a competitive edge.

 It also showcases areas of further opportunity for individual colleges, and provides a detailed curriculum comparison to other providers in the local area.

 For the first time the tool includes data on higher education and the new 15 technical education routes announced in the Government’s Post-16 Skills Plan, which will allow colleges to directly analyse relevant skills provision in their locality, and compare with employment demand.

 Hugh Callaway, group director of marketing for Grimsby Institute Group, said: “Vector is fully integrated into our over-arching curriculum planning process. It’s a very useful tool, enabling us to develop a robust and detailed analysis of the learner and labour market.

 “The detailed understanding and data is used in strategic planning, while we use the mapping feature to identify areas and postcodes to target specifically. We recruit from an extensive area and have used Vector to help us understand potential school liaison activities and transport travel plans.”

 Richard Boniface, RCU’s managing director, said: “Vector 2.0 is a powerful tool which provides a complete picture of all post-16 further education, higher education and skills demand within the local area, aiding curriculum development, supporting the local labour market, and identifying key opportunities for growth.

 “It can also help set budgets and allocate resources ensuring colleges are armed with the data they need to develop our future workforce.” 

 Vector 2.0, endorsed by the Association of Colleges (AoC), is a powerful tool providing a complete picture of all local post-16 further education, higher education, employment and skills demand, supporting curriculum development and identifying key opportunities for growth.

 Key features of the Vector 2.0 include:

• Detailed recruitment, market share and curriculum analysis of further and higher education learners and apprenticeships in your local area
• Ability to map and analyse provision by the 15 technical education routes announced in the Sainsbury Report
• Labour market intelligence data available directly from within the tool allowing you to compare local skills provision with employer demand
• A new split-screen comparison mode enables you to compare different maps, charts and tables at the same time, making your work much more productive
• Intelligent and enhanced mapping interface incorporating the latest features from Google Maps, includes campus pins and interactive layers for ward level data analysis which can be directly controlled by the user
• Ability to save, retrieve and share favourite searches
• Individual user logins allowing personal settings to be stored and usage of the tool to be managed and tracked by the college
• Online support and help features with hints and tips demonstrating how you can get the best out of Vector

To find out more about, and request a demo of the Vector tool and how it can help your college, contact Chris Lee, Director of Marketing and Communications.