University partnership vital for driving growth and skills uplift
A partnership between Staffordshire County Council and the county’s universities will drive economic growth and develop skills levels, the organisations have said.
The county council is collaborating with Keele University, Staffordshire University and Wolverhampton University as it aims to maximise the potential of each organisation to improve productivity among local businesses.
Economic growth leader Mark Winnington and learning and skills leader Ben Adams said formal university partnerships would ensure each organisation made the most effective use of their resources to achieve final goals.
The local authority has already signed the New Keele Deal with Keele University which will help small businesses tap into the university’s research and development facilities to enhance their products and services.
A £7m investment by the county council as seen the opening of Innovation Centre 5 at Keele Science and Innovation Park. A further commitment has been made by the county council to invest in Innovation Centre 6.
Ben Adams said: “We have near full employment in Staffordshire and so our drive now is very much on creating higher value jobs.
“By working more closely with universities we can achieve this. Businesses in Staffordshire are telling us they need more skilled workers to take advantage of the thousands of new jobs being created each year.
“This innovative approach to working with universities will provide our residents with the opportunities to get the skills businesses need. Furthermore, where there is a skilled workforce there is greater incentive to potential investors.”
Mark Winnington said the universities played a vital role in the county’s economic development.
“We are working closely with the three organisations operating here,” he said.
“Most notably we have set up a formal agreement with Keele to maximise its potential. Universities can support business innovation and lead to greater productivity in addition to delivering the skills our employers need.
“Our approach in forming closer partnerships demonstrates a commitment to developing a knowledge economy in Staffordshire and this very much fits in to the emerging themes of the UK Industrial Strategy.”
Wolverhampton University will soon have an operational base at the county council’s Staffordshire Place 2 building, while Staffordshire University operates from various county locations. Both are members of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Education Trust, which is part of the LEP.
