Posts Tagged ‘skills’

Univercity

Plain English Version

We think that Birmingham must understand how important its universities and colleges are and help graduates to stay in Birmingham and use their skills in business. We should encourage technology businesses by having new types of workspace, flexible learning and living space and support (such as advice and grants).

Original Document

Birmingham must value its strong academic base and turn it into city-based enterprise if it is going to compete better on the world stage. Technological enterprise should be encouraged by new forms of workspace, flexible learning and living space and business support.

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1.1.4

Plain English Version

Innovation and skills – the universities, the council and business need to be better at working together.

Original Document

Innovation and skills – There needs to be better working between the universities, the local government and the private sector.

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3.2.2

Plain English Version

Birmingham still has fewer jobs that other cities in some high-pay areas like finance and some business types like research.

The people old enough to work in Birmingham have, fewer skills than people in some other cities — and are less skilled than average workers in the UK — we see that as a reason that Birmingham may not be as successful.

Universities and other education could help this.

Original Document

On the other hand, Birmingham remains under-represented in the higher value added sectors that generate greater wealth and pay higher wages. Its employment in the Financial and Business sector is still lower than the UK Core Cities’ average. It has fewer jobs in R&D and knowledge-intensive business services. The working age population in the city has lower skills than the national average and this is seen as inhibiting its growth potential. Universities and education generally are seen as one of the key tools for raising the city’s performance.

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Question B5

Plain English Version

How can we make the most of the fact that the universities are nearby to help skills and business?

Original Document

What can be done to capitalise on the closeness of the Universities as a driver for skills raising and business?

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3.5.1

Plain English Version

We have three well-regarded major universities in the city plus others in the region so Birmingham should be in a good position to provide the skilled graduates business needs.  Yet, as the West Midlands Skills Partnership notes, “The region is poor at retaining graduates – more than half take a job outside the West Midlands. Many of the graduates we do hold on to are employed in low level jobs that do not fully exploit their potential”.

Original Document

Universities are key tools for future success and with three well-regarded major universities in the city plus others in the region, Birmingham should be well placed to deliver the graduate skills base the city needs. Yet as the West Midlands Skills Partnership notes, “The region is poor at retaining graduates - more than half take a job outside the West Midlands. Many of the graduates we do hold on to are employed in low level jobs that do not fully exploit their potential”.

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3.5.2

Plain English Version

The main reason Birmingham loses it’s graduates is that the city doesn’t provide the range and quality of jobs it takes to tempt these skilled workers to stay.

Original Document

There may be a number of reasons why graduates find Birmingham unattractive, but the extent to which highly skilled labour moves between cities depending on the cultural, social or environmental offer of a city is limited. Rather it is the job offer that matters. Employment is the main determinant of migration patterns. Birmingham does not provide the range and quality of jobs necessary to attract these skilled workers.

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3.5.4

Plain English Version

Birmingham’s city centre is has a strong and developing reputation for research in higher education, particularly in medical, bioscience and biomedical engineering. This is supported by the universities – Aston University, the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University and University College Birmingham (formerly Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies) and Newman University College. There are also Matthew Boulton College and South Birmingham College.

All of these have an important role to play in improving skills and nurturing spin-off and start-up industries. Things need to get better though as higher education qualifications within the city centre are still well below government targets.

Original Document

Birmingham’s city centre is a strong and developing higher education and research base, particularly in medical, bioscience and biomedical engineering. This is supported by the universities – Aston University, the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham (formerly Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies) and Newman University College. There are also significant colleges which include Matthew Boulton College, and South Birmingham College. These establishments have an important role to play in improving skills levels and nurturing spin-off and start-up industries. Whilst the city centre is therefore benefiting from an increasingly skilled supply of labour with improvements in educational attainment, there are still improvements to be made. Indeed, higher education qualifications within the city centre are still well below government targets.

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3.5.6

Plain English Version

Transforming Education is a programme that aims to meet the councils target of ensuring that every child gets a job, either paid or voluntary, once they finish school. To do this, they must leave school with the appropriate skills and qualifications necessary for further education. The Transforming Education programme includes: Building Schools for the Future (Transforming Secondary Education); Birmingham Academies; Special Provision; Primary Capital Programme; Information and Communications Technology and the 14-19 Curriculum.

Original Document

Transforming Education is a programme that, in line with the Council’s priorities, aims to ensure that every child gets a job, either paid or voluntary, once they finish school. To do this, they must leave school with the appropriate skills and qualifications necessary for further education. The Transforming Education programme includes: Building Schools for the Future (Transforming Secondary Education); Birmingham Academies; Special Provision; Primary Capital Programme; Information and Communications Technology and the 14-19 Curriculum.

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Question ED2

Plain English Version

What can the Big City Plan do to help people have better skills and qualifications at all ages and so helping the city to grow?

Original Document

What can the Big City Plan do to assist in raising skills and qualifications at all ages and thus improving the future growth prospects of the city?

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