UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE Dr Lis Smith Director of Skills, NWDA

Government Policy Reform Leitch Review of World Class Skills Sub National Review Comprehensive Spending Review, Budget Innovation Nation Enterprise Strategy A new University Challenge Raising Expectations: enabling the system to deliver Higher Education at Work – High Skills: High Value

The Northern Regions £220bn economy, 860,000 businesses Combined population of 14.5M Larger than all but 4 of the 50 US states and 7 of all EU countries.

NW Regional economy NW Economy - £106B Gap in productivity - £17.8B Focus on: Growing the size of the workforce Improving productivity

A new “University Challenge” Unlocking the potential of towns and people: –widening participation and unlocking talent Driving economic regeneration: –creating a highly skilled workforce, with relevant skills for the local business community –job creation –stimulating entrepreneurship and –engaging with business to solve problems and boost innovation and competitiveness. Ability to deliver

Market failure Low productivity, limited employer investment in workforce development Skills gaps and shortages preventing business growth Failure to attract new investment Failure to nurture and retain talent Lack of career and progression opportunities Low participation rates Limited access, failure to unlock talent

Issues to consider Understanding the impact of HE on “place” Coverage of FE and HE spatially and travel to learn Specialism and expertise Role and engagement of partners –Nationally –Regionally –Sub-regionally/County –Locally

Demand for HE Centres From HE From FE From Business From Community From Economic need Evidence base MODEL

Developments in Northwest Oldham Burnley Cumbria Blackpool Blackburn Hope at Everton