1. Public Sector Showcase 25 th February 2009 Higher level skills pathfinder

2. Project rationale To determine the UKs optimal skills mix in order to maximise economic growth and productivity Found key competitor countries have higher proportions of their adult workforce with higher level skillshigher level skills more, and more employable, graduates to raise the skills and capacity for innovation and enterprise of those already in the workforce To prosper, we need: In order to achieve world class skills, by 2020 the percentage of the population with higher level skills must increase from 27% to 40% plus

3. Higher level skills pathfinder Three regional pilot projects: Focus areas:Health Engineering Creative Industries Business Improvement (All Sectors) South West, North East and North West To provide flexible, innovative, demand-led higher level training for the regional workforce, with a focus on identifying skills gaps and encouraging businesses to link staff development to organisational strategy To overcome the perceived barriers associated with traditional HE:

4. The Association of Higher Education Institutions in the South West

6. Organisational Needs Analysis Agree Ideal Training Solution Intermediary Seeks Solution from Regional Providers Higher level skills process Intermediary Delivers Detailed Training Proposal No Cost / No Obligation Training Solution Commissioned & Delivered

7. Range of provision Part-time / Full-time / Combination Study Distance Learning / Workplace Delivery E-Learning / Blended Learning Mix of Accredited / Unaccredited What does contemporary HE provision look like?

8. How could this help you? We also need to know more about your existing staff development standards, activities and policies:

9. Success Stories Bespoke Leadership Programme Algram Group Centre for Leadership & Operational Excellence (CLOE) / University of Plymouth Communication Skills Short Course Babcock Marine University College Plymouth (UCP) Marjon Strategy & Project Management Short Course Somerset Care Leadership South West / Exeter University Clinical Leadership Short Course Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust Faculty of Health & Social Work / University of Plymouth Accredited Project Management Short Course Plymouth City Council University of Plymouth / City College Plymouth Over 300 engagements across both Public & Private Sectors...

10. Contact Details Rupert Lorraine Business Intermediary Research & Enterprise University of Plymouth 07875 143 573 rupert.lorraine@plymouth.ac.uk (West of the Region) Jennifer Lane Business Intermediary Research & Enterprise University of Plymouth 07912 358 678 jennifer.lane@plymouth.ac.uk (Centre of the Region) Sally Sharpe Business Intermediary Research & Enterprise University of Plymouth 07511 629 487 sally.sharpe@plymouth.ac.uk (East of the Region) Richard Shepherd Business Development Manager Research & Enterprise University of Plymouth 07850 318 785 richard.shepherd@plymouth.ac.uk University of Plymouth Business Enquiry Service Research & Enterprise www.plymouth.ac.uk/businessservices 0800 052 5600 businessservices@plymouth.ac.uk

11. What are higher level skills? Defined using the National Qualifications Framework / HE Equivalents: Level 3 A-Levels, Level 3 Certificate / NVQ / Diploma Level 4 Certificate of Higher Education, Level 4 Certificate / NVQ / Diploma Level 5 Foundation degree, Level 5 Certificate / NVQ / Diploma Level 6 Bachelors degree (BA, BSc, BEng), Level 6 Certificate / NVQ / Diploma Level 7 Masters degree (MA, MSc, MBA), Level 7 Diploma / Advanced Prof Cert Level 8 Doctoral degree (PhD, DBA, DEng), Specialist Diploma Higher level skills (level 4 and above) enhance the complexity of knowledge and the capacity for autonomy of innovative and creative thought; enabling people to develop original responses to complicated and unpredictable problems and situations. Acquiring these skills involves teaching and development over a prolonged period of time, with some autonomous activity by the student, coupled with assignments / assessments that help to embed learning. back