Six Midlands' universities have joined forces to drive productivity and economic growth through skills, innovation and enterprise.
Birmingham City University, Coventry University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Derby, University of Lincoln and the University of Wolverhampton have collectively launched Midlands Enterprise Universities a partnership which combines their research, expertise and facilities in order to further increase growth and prosperity across the region.
The new partnership will provide the Midlands Engine with a powerful resource with which it can meet its ambitious objectives focusing on higher level skills gaps, talent pipeline needs and innovation requirements. Work will also concentrate on further developing the employability and entrepreneurship of students.
Professor Cliff Allan, Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University said: "The government have made it clear that they see the Midlands Engine at the heart of economic growth and prosperity in this country and universities have a significant contribution to make to the skills, research and innovation that will drive this.
The creation of Midlands Enterprise Universities is a major step forward in uniting the east and west of our region and ensuring higher education institutions support increased productivity, wealth creation and job opportunities right across the Midlands.
Professor Cliff Allan
"Our collective aim is to contribute to Midlands Engine productivity and to support and stimulate innovation in the Midlands' supply chains. Combining our work with business and employers and our respective local communities positions us perfectly to provide the spark that will really kick the Engine into gear."
Sir John Peace, Chairman of Midlands Engine, said "I am pleased to see this new collaboration between the regions universities which further adds to the spirit of partnership and unity being developed across the Midlands Engine region. Their aims align closely with the Midlands Engine ambitions to support sector growth, improve productivity and boost the regions economy."
Midlands Enterprise Universities will focus on boosting the Health, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Transport Technologies, Creative Digital and Design and Agrifood and Drink industries all priorities within the Midlands Engine region. Support will concentrate on:
Improving skills through apprenticeships and work based learning alongside existing degree programmes.
Providing a talent pipeline through work experience packages tailored to employer and student needs
Delivering programmes of collaborative research and innovation support to address the development of new products, processes and services
Providing commercial services support to address skills development needs and to tackle organisation issues.