A foundation for the future: how collaboration is delivering the skills people and businesses need

UK Universities are among the best in the world. They deliver pioneering research and provide transformative teaching and learning. At Skilled Education we deliver training for and on behalf of exceptional university partners including the University of Cambridge, London School of Economics and UWE Bristol.

We design, market and deliver online pathways which boost access and success for international students. We also provide industry-backed microcredentials (short courses in a specific area) which boost digital and workplace skills, as well as online degrees which increase revenue and student numbers.

All our learning is designed with employers and society in mind – those that ultimately benefit from highly-qualified graduates. That’s why we are delighted to be designing a landmark new programme bringing together business schools, the private sector and government.

The Help to Grow Management scheme was a central part of Rishi Sunak’s Autumn 2021 Budget. As the Chancellor says, “Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy.” The scheme offers small business owners the chance to learn from the best and gives them the tools they need to innovate and grow. As Skilled Education, we’re working with over 30 university partners – from Cardiff Business School to Newcastle and Portsmouth to Aberdeen – to provide small business leaders the education they need to grow their company. It is a beacon for how universities – working closely with government and the private sector – can make sure we recover strongly from the pandemic and nurture the high-skills economy so important to our future.  

 Running over 12 weeks, the course integrates the learning through 12 core modules, mentoring and peer-to-peer learning and guides participants in developing a growth plan for their business. Over 130 student cohorts have already started on the programme and over the next three years, 30,000 small businesses will study the Help to Grow Management course. This will be transformative as, in many regions, especially those ‘left behind’, small businesses are the bedrock of the economy. The course will help these businesses to thrive through improved knowledge, networks and skills.

It’s not just supporting existing business owners that we must focus on. It is arguably more important that our students and graduates have the skills they need for the world of work. We need to pair the rich cultural experiences and deep learning that is critical to higher education with the toolbox of digital skills necessary to succeed today.

The University of West England Bristol (UWE Bristol) has partnered with Skilled Education to offer their students and recent alumni our 21st century skills microcredentials. These courses, co-designed and co-delivered with major employers, are delivered by industry-academics alongside the university’s core degree curriculum. Running between 6–10 weeks they provide students with digital skills (such as data analytics, digital marketing and artificial intelligence) and workplace skills (such as team work, communication and leadership) that are increasingly vital across every industry, sector and role.

Throughout the microcredential courses, students are challenged to put their learning into practice, building on content and scenarios developed in collaboration with sought-after employers such as Airbnb, Netflix and the NHS. While these courses currently earn students a certification, plans are underway across the sector to deliver them as 15 credit courses and embed them as part of a student’s core degree. 

Curriculum focussed on upskilling individuals is not easy. It takes time to understand the hopes and dreams of students, and what they do after their university education. It also requires skill to bring together the industry insights, projects and ways of teaching that can deliver tangible improvements in employability and student satisfaction. Again, partnerships which increase the capacity, expertise and impact of universities in these crucial areas will be increasingly commonplace.

Universities are regional, national and international beacons of progress. They offer transformative learning, throughout life. They are where deep knowledge, social networks and serendipitous discovery join with the practical experiences and skills necessary to create meaningful growth and a better future. The Help to Grow scheme, and other partnerships we’re honoured to lead with UK universities, offer a model for the collaboration necessary to tackle the big challenges of our time. They already reflect the ambition and impact of our higher education sector, and we will undoubtedly see much more of that in the years ahead.

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To see more examples of how partnerships between universities and businesses are achieving exciting results, follow the #GettingResults campaign on Twitter and LinkedIn.