Building Competitiveness & Character – Vision for HE and FE
When we talk about the big trends that will shape our lives in the future, whether it’s the move of economic power eastward, or global shift to a low-carbon economy, they can seem a lifetime away – especially, when most people are focused on surviving this recession.
But the future’s catching us up fast. And the very things that will help us get through this downturn quicker, like: ensuring a regulatory environment that encourages enterprise; equipping people with the right skills and opportunities that they need in order to thrive; and driving growth and progress through world-class education and research – will be even more important to our prosperity in the years ahead.
Britain has fundamental strengths in these areas already. We can see that from the skills and innovation here at Aston and university and FE campuses across our country.
These campuses and institutions are the seabed of our future economic prosperity and what enriches our lives and communities.
But while we have undoubted strengths, the competition’s getting tougher. And it’s going to take work to maintain and develop the UK’s lead in the hi-tech, hi-value industries of the future. It will take application.
So, good prospects – yes. Room for complacency – no.
My Ambition for BIS:
That mission goes to the very heart of what our new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has been created to achieve.
This new Department is about knowledge: generating, fostering and applying. And imparting knowledge to every member of society and the workforce. That’s why universities are at the core of the Department. Yes, they are about Britain’s competitiveness, but they are also about our character.
So our purpose is to build up the knowledge and creativity that will drive Britain’s competitiveness directly, but also indirectly by reinforcing our cultural awareness, understanding and confidence.
Character and competitiveness are not, in my book, mutually exclusive. Together they shape our ambitions and define our ability to realise them effectively.
And excellent Higher and Further Education support them both, enabling people, whatever their background, whatever their circumstances, to make the most of their talents and their lives.
The Impact of World-Class HE & FE
As the Universities UK paper “Standing Together” set out last November, and I was looking at it this weekend, the UK’s university sector is already helping businesses survive this recession.
Universities generate billions for our economy and support hundreds of thousands of jobs.
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That’s not to mention the invaluable sense of community, passion for continued learning and spirit of enterprise and innovation these institutions foster across our regions and workforce.
The economic and social benefits of good Further Education in Britain are just as important.
We know that 75% of the UK’s 2020 workforce have already left formal education and are over 25. Ensuring that they get the lifelong opportunities for training they need to succeed throughout their working lives is essential to equipping Britain for globalisation.
That means delivering more on-the-job training in the UK, expanding apprenticeships and supporting those out of work in getting new jobs.
Around three million people currently benefit from the UK’s FE system every year. With colleges across the country working hard to deliver learning that better meets the needs of the local businesses, employers and communities that surround them.
Maintaining and improving that service is integral to recovery and long-term economic success.
So what is my vision for HE, FE and skills?
Our new Department brings together the policy levers that can help Britain build on its strengths. And today, I want to set out a few of the basic principles that will inform our work.
First, a high degree of autonomy for universities and further education has been central to their success.
And Government’s role will remain to set the overall UK strategy, identifying some of the key skills and specialist knowledge we’ll need to excel in the global economy. And to ensure a strong and stable funding environment that enables you to do what you do best. That’s understanding and delivering what your students need.
Second, I firmly believe, we can boost the role of universities in generating our economic growth without in any way compromising the place of fundamental science or curiosity-driven research in their mix.
And that’s why we have committed to a ring fenced science budget and will keep the dual support system for research funding.
But we’re also going to need to get better at turning more of that research into the commercially successful products and services of the future.
That calls for greater collaboration between researchers and industry, like here at Aston. And I encourage more businesses to take up these opportunities.
Finally, over the next few months we will be publishing a framework for the future shape of our higher education system followed by an independent review on student fees.
That framework will make clear our absolute commitment to a higher education sector that prizes excellence of all kinds. And will set out how the sector can further contribute to Britain’s economic competitiveness and help more people meet their aspirations for a better life through education.
Conclusion:
I’m both excited and slightly frustrated by remarks from some in the sector. Some recognise the need for links and the importance of synergies – combining skills to create mutual opportunities.
Others take a slightly more silo-like approach, perhaps afraid of the challenge, unconfident about dealing with what may change in their world.
I don’t want people to unconfident.
We need to be change-makers. And this change needs to be smart and strategic, but must not be insensitive to professionals and individuals.
That’s hard. It requires individuals to talk to each other, hear different views and consider different views.
This work need to be constructive in the sector and in our country. I want to be part of that. And I’m very pleased to be able to work with you for a stronger and more confident future.
Business, Innovation and Skills – we can’t succeed at any of these without delivering on our commitment to maintain world-class HE and excellent FE provision in this country.
The needs of business and the needs of higher and further education are not always the same and never will be. But they can and do touch and reinforce each other in important ways. And working together can help give us the big ideas, brilliant minds, confidence and character we need to prosper in a changing world.
