Further Education Delivering The
Missing Middle
The Missing Middle addresses the mismatch between qualifications and workforce requirements. Currently, the UK has an undersupply of graduates with skills-focused technical qualifications at level 4 and 5 where most opportunities exist in the digital sector. Further Education can deliver these skills now with the right qualification and content partnership.

Understanding the Missing Middle
The White Paper, Delivering the Missing Middle, a collaboration between Code Institute, City of Bristol Further Education College, Gateway Qualifications and West Yorkshire Combined Authority. It examines the implications of the government’s Skills for Jobs White Paper and addresses the following challenges:
- A ratio of 80:1 indicates the oversupply of graduates at 6+ compared to those gaining level 4 and 5 qualifications. This results in vastly over-educated but under-qualified graduates lacking the skills that employers need.
- Digital skills are critical for the modern economy and tech jobs are sustainable, well paid and available in all sectors.
- A technical qualification that can be completed in one-year and get grads into employment is critical.
- Further Education colleges need to deliver these skills quickly – Code Institute and Gateway Qualifications provide the qualification, content and support to do that immediately.
