Introducing initiatives in trying to broaden access to universities is welcome ("University targeting 12,000 children in new access drive", The Herald, June 23).

Individual institutions already may enrol students with relatively low higher grades, such entrants go on to gain degree awards fully recognised by the external asessment system, often at the most difficult level. Overall, the universities do help many who are low-achievers at school, and there is everything to be said for helping more. This must not be at the expense of vocational course provision: the constant cry from employers, particularly from manufacturing firms, is that prospective employees lack relevant skills, apprenticeships linked to college courses are vital to sorting this out. Universities and FE colleges need extra funding, perhaps targeted to specific disciplines and employment opportunities, to rectify both the skills shortage and to broaden access. Scotland and the UK are well up in the performance leagues, and it remains essential all course exit qualifications remain at least on par with the best from the EU and globally. And that goes back to the need for a fully-funded early-years professionally staffed pre-school child development care programme to give kids a flying start.

Dr Joe Darby,

Glenburn, St Martins Mill,

Cullicudden, Dingwall.