Quality, not quantity in this week's news round-up as Research into gender skills gap is launched . We can't quite believe that it's taken three decades for anyone to put any serious research into working out whether a difference in skills might be one of the issues behind the gender pay gap. The question is: will the end report tell us anything we don't know already?

Another story which startled us was House of Lords calls for apprenticeships minister. Not that we had an issue with the Lords' call – we were just even less sure than they were about how the current system works.

Universities have been talkative this week: admissions tutors have aired their views on best qualifications while their umbrella organisation has released reports indicating that: Employer collaboration is the key to universities' future.

Of course, the universities might be fighting a losing battle as it's possible that Teenage dreams need a reality check. But the idea virtual learning might replace the lecture hall could be popular as it already appears that Home is where the studying is.

The gender skills gap mentioned above was easily our favourite story of the week but we also liked: Leadership skills for hostile environments. Would it be very naughty of us to suggest that apprenticeship ministers should think about it?

These weren't the only stories we've covered this week. Go to also on TrainingZone.co.uk to see all our news and features.