Forging futures: building higher-level skills through university and employer collaboration

‘Forging futures’ is a call to action to encourage the further development of routes to higher-level skills. Case studies from across six industrial sectors highlight the variety and depth of collaboration between employers and universities, and make clear the key steps required to successfully design, set-up and maintain successful collaborations.

The report: 

• Explores benefits of developing alternative pathways to higher-level skills
• Outlines why universities and employers collaborate to develop pathways to higher-level skills 
• Considers how successful collaboration can be set up, delivered and sustained
• Promotes the need for increased collaboration to develop a broader range of pathways to employment and higher-level skills
  

It finds that by engaging with universities, employers can support the development of skills that benefit their business, while universities can ensure their offers are up-to-date, relevant and support graduate employability.

More can be done to encourage and grow collaborative activity, and employers, universities, and policymakers have a great opportunity to consider the importance of collaboration and how it can be supported and expanded.