Standing together: universities helping business through the downturn, has been put together by Universities UK, as the major representative body for the higher education sector, with the assistance of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

It sets out the kind of support universities and colleges can offer employers, both in the current economic climate and longer term. This includes:
• Practical support to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) spot problems early, focusing on SMEs’ top priorities of cash flow, access to finance and staff training
• Consultancy services
• Research support
• Staff development and training courses
• Strengthened partnerships through the Regional Development Agencies, Business Link, Train2Gain and sector skills councils

With over 150 providers to choose from, it lists a point of contact within each higher education institution in membership of Universities UK and GuildHE for businesses to use to find out more about how higher education and business support providers can help them.