Arts grads fit the bill

Michael Worton's article (THES, November 22) on the invaluable contribution of graduates in arts and humanities to society and the economy is timely given the Government's blinkered obsession with vocational training.

Employers certainly value these graduates for their vocational and transferable skills, and rightly so; but the real premium comes in the guise of well-trained, inquiring, critical and flexible minds. Thousands of key jobs in business, commerce and industry are filled by arts and humanities graduates because employers know they will adapt to professional training.

Such graduates enrich our culture and provide "reflective citizens prepared to settle disagreement by debate and not by violence", according to John Laver, chairman of the British Academy's humanities research board.

PETER AINSWORTH Director, Humanities graduate school, University of Liverpool.