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Higher level learning: new report highlights successful links between universities and employers

Wednesday 29 November 2006

Universities are successfully working with employers to develop business-focused degrees and enhance graduate employability, according to a new report published by Universities UK (UUK) on Tuesday 28 November, entitled 'Higher level learning: universities and employers working together'.

The University of East London (UEL), is recognised for its contribution to the economic and social development of East London and Thames Gateway. UEL offers a wide range of degree and other programmes in areas critical to employment including health and social care, computing, deisgn and engineering, the creative and cultural industries, law, education, business, accounting and finance.

Over 94% of UEL graduates are in work or further full-time study six months after completing their degrees, and UEL was last year rated among the top 15 universities in the UK for graduate starting salaries by the Sunday Times.

UEL also provides a variety of business development and support services to inventors, companies, academics, students and entrepreneurs.

Professor Michael Thorne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London, said: "In recent years, critics and media commentators have referred disparagingly to some new programmes as 'Mickey Mouse degrees'. What this UUK report shows is that graduates with the skills developed on these courses are essential to the success of the UK economy.

"The case studies cover a wide range of key industries, for example the media & fashion industry, which is worth £90 billion a year to the economy and employs more than four million people. When an industry is worth billions of pounds, it's quite right that there should be a range of programmes on offer to ensure a workforce with diverse and specific skills."

The UUK report shows how universities are assisting development in a wide range of industries, including sport and leisure, construction, brewing, media and fashion, and financial services. It also examines how universities are connecting with small and medium-sized enterprises and encouraging entrepreneurship.

UEL's Knowledge Dock enterprise development and support service offers a range of business-focused services and courses open to both UEL students and the wider community. Examples include the innovative Hothatch business support facility, East London Fashion Innovation Centre (ELFIC), the Product Design Lab and Simlab, the Empower Project, which supports female entrepreneurs from ethnic minority groups, the Shell Step student work placement scheme, and the popular 'Be your own Boss' enterprise and business skills programme.

Higher level learning arrives ahead of the final report of Lord Leitch's review Skills in the UK. In his interim report published last December, Lord Leitch underlined the "crucial" importance of higher level skills to the UK economy and the role that universities can play in delivering this (1).

Universities currently generate £45 billion of output a year - making them a larger part of the economy than either the UK pharmaceutical industry or the aircraft industry. They employ 1.2% of the UK's workforce (2).

Richard Lambert, Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry, says in his foreword to Higher level learning: "The global economy is rapidly evolving and if the UK is to retain its position as the fifth largest economy in the world we need highly-skilled graduates able to respond to these developments.

"Employers are committed to communicating their skills needs effectively to the HE sector at all levels, and working together to design and deliver qualifications and training to meet those needs. This publication is welcome evidence of some of the innovative ways in which this is happening."

Ends/.

For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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