Core competence and education

Core competence is a managerial concept used to analyse and develop key elements of business strategy. This article outlines the concept and applies it to post-compulsory education in the UK. After considering educational characteristics which might be considered to delineate core competence, an economic approach is adopted. The educational perspective suggests accreditation as the core competence of Universities. The economic approach suggests that the market trend toward lifetime learning might best be met by institutions developing a core competence in relationship marketing. The article concludes by considering the implications for the institutional structure of post-compulsory education.