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Nexus: Higher Education and Economic Development
Mary MahoneyDirector, Higher Skills Nexus
An introduction to Nexus and Quays Creative Nexus
Who, What, Why, How, When?Partnerships?Flexible frameworks?
Quays CreativeWho, What, Why, How, When?
Synergies between the two
What? - AimsTo develop sustainable, commercial, demand-led employer-facing higher skills and knowledge provision for the employment sectors in Gloucestershire that have latent and unmet demand for HE
Why? - Evidence- Key findings from the Gloucestershire Higher Education Study
(Mahoney, 2008)
- County support for Gloucestershire Higher Skills Project
Well trained people Higher productivity
Increased business growth
Challenges facing the countyLow HE participation in Gloucester: Gloucester and the surrounding area has a below average participation rate in HE. This is counter to government targets for increasing participation.
The need to align demand with HE provision: the belief within the county that HE does not genuinely reflect the full breadth of employment opportunities available in the county.
The need for an assessment of specialist HE provision linked to skill development: e.g. engineering and construction are two of the County’s largest sectors by value and numbers employed yet there is no provision beyond HNC/HND within the County. The need for HE and FE to work together to fill skills gaps.
Aims of GHE Feasibility StudyTo explore the latent and unmet demand for HE in the county, particularly in Gloucester and the surrounding area
If a case is identified for an additional demand, to assess of the feasibility of developing an alternative ‘HE Centre’ in Gloucester.
Components of the study Mapping the HE supply/demand matrix by drawing together the evidence from a range of sources;
Reviewing other models of best practice such as Hastings, Suffolk, Combined Universities in Cornwall, Barnsley, Oldham, Teeside and HE in Somerset;
Document analysis of core Gloucestershire data from all relevant sources; and,
Extensive consultations with a wide range of employers, professional bodies, and potential stakeholders;
Key findingsThe number of students leaving the
county to enrol in HE has increased by 3.5%
The proportion going to the 5 nearest universities has increased by 5.4% with UWE having marked increases
Consistent trends in subjects chosen are seen and these are very similar to national trends
30+ age group tend to stay in county to study
Key findingsProportion of people with level 4/5
qualifications shows vast discrepancies across the county e.g. Cheltenham 26.5+%, Gloucester 15%.
This gap has widened over the last 10 yearsKnowledge economy employment shows a
5.6% decline in Gloucester compared to 13.2% increase in Cheltenham
Key findingsGloucestershire has well established HE,
high take up rates, and high levels of provision
BUTProvision does not match county’s long
term skills needs Provision does not match government
agendasTake up of HE is differentially spread
across the county
Key lessons for the county Adopting a broader view of HE
↓Expanded view of HE as a focus for
economic development and an important driver for it
↓Increased partnership working
↓Brokering to achieve mutual outcomes
Traditional HE provision with no ‘one stop shop’ approach
Too supply led rather than demand ledCurrent provision not flexibleLow levels of responsiveness to
innovation and the pace of change
The goal of the partnershipTo achieve a new model for HE
focused on what businesses need, when they need it, in the form they need it, where they need it.
To create stronger links between education providers and the needs of local communities, county and businesses such as the regeneration of Gloucester, Enterprise and Innovation, higher level skills and lifelong learning agendas.
Ultimate vision of partnershipThe development of a new Centre in the Gloucester Docks which will act as a Gateway into a range of educational Ultimate vision of partnership opportunities for businesses and employees including modules, foundation degrees, continuing professional development programmes and short courses.
Who - Nexus team
Project Director - Mary Mahoney
Manager, New Product Development – Wendy Monteith/Trish Upton
Employer Engagement Co-ordinator – Ali Antonelli
Partnerships Officer – Julia Ingram
Project Manager – Sarah Gilbert
How? Key objectives‘To offer businesses in Gloucestershire HE programmes
that are aligned to their specific needs.’
NexusBespoke
Responsive
Fit for purpose
Demand -led
Work based including EBTA (Employer–based Training Accreditation
Employer focused
Consultative
Innovative
Critical partner
What’s different ?The Present ….. The future……….
Shift from provider to employer focusProject partners: The University of GloucestershireGloucestershire CollegeThe Royal Agricultural CollegeUWE
As the project goals are to work from the employers’ perspective and to focus on the demand they identify, we will facilitate access to alternative out of county providers who offer HE programmes and services if necessary (i.e. focus on growth first but encourage use/develop of appropriate local provision in the longer term).
HOWEVER
Nexus Premises What it seeks to offer: Professional, accessible, environment focused
on vocational HE or higher skills Alternative learning environment for learners
in employment (neutrally branded)A focus for attention on higher skills needs of
businesses in Gloucester Education and training within Gloucester
Docks redevelopment Opportunities for exposure to new ways of
working within county and new funding streams
When?3 year funded development Year 1
Developmental pilot phase – learn key lessons from critical friends; build relationships, listen!
Year 2 Expand provision and range of sectors
Year 3 Focus specifically on better aligning
programmes with the needs of SMEs
What? - Aims of Quays Creative
To support new & innovative creative businesses
To support businesses with clear growth objectives
To support a diverse group of tenantsPromote local procurement of creative
services
Why? - UK stats show
400,000 new business start-ups in UK each year
20% cease trading within 1st year 30% still trading after 5 years
BUT 87% of Incubation businesses are still
trading after 5 years
Synergies between the twoNexus can provide material support through
the provision of space and specialist facilities and access to relevant expertise.
Together they bring business support into the Docks.
They demonstrate action, bring new young businesses into the area, provide a focus for activities, create a focus for media attention and shared marketing.
The three way working between education, the public sector and private sector through GMG make for a strong and committed team working to improve the economy of Gloucester.
Further specific information on [email protected]@glos.ac.uk
