Coca-Cola recruits

Phil Baty, ("Howells defends corporate degree", THES, November 14), addresses only some of the issues that surround the partnership between employers and higher education. There are other reasons why many academics are promoting such programmes.

It is the only way that many working-class young people will have access to higher education.

The demise of maintenance grants and the introduction of student fees will discourage students from less privileged backgrounds applying to university.

The CCSB (Coca-Cola Schweppes Beverages) FrontLine Degree Programme is one such initiative. Students are recruited, usually directly from school or college, to work for CCSB and to study part-time on a University of Bradford honours degree in management. The Bradford full-time course has been adapted for distance education and on campus study by academics working with the National Extension College.

It is strange to me that so many seem to be exercised about such developments. Are memories so short that we have forgotten sandwich degrees and day release?

Helen Lentell

CCSB FrontLine Degree Programme director National Extension College Cambridge