Aber-Bangor Skills Centre Official Launch of the Aber-Bangor Skills Centre 8 October 2009 Dr Alyson Thomas   Senior Economic Development Manager Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

HEFCW Third Mission Fund Supports - - “activities that stimulate and direct the application and exploitation of knowledge to the benefit of the social, cultural and economic development of our society”

HEFCW Remit Letter 2009 “In the face of the current economic climate … the HE sector... must demonstrate economic impact, employability of its graduates and a research base and knowledge transfer that underpins the economy of Wales”

HEFCW Remit Letter 2009 Recognises the key role of the HE sector in raising higher level skills in Wales. Requires HEFCW to ensure that the sector engages even more fully with employers/SSCs and other key stakeholders ... to increase higher level skills and the delivery of CQFW level 4/5 skills provision. In particular to: focus on creating strong partnerships between HEIs and employers work closely with SSCs that have specified higher-level skills gaps and shortages within their sectors in order to address these skills needs.

Ministerial Statement in response to Jones Review of HE   “The HE community must work in partnership with FE, employers, SSCs and take the steer from the Wales Employment and Skills Board if it is to provide the higher level skills we need in Wales, including a special focus on technician-level and management skills, flexible ways of learning, including part-time and workplace provision.”

HE-BCI Survey 2007-08 In Wales: 9 HEIs provide distance learning for business 10 HEIs provide continuous work-based learning 11 HEIs provide short bespoke courses for businesses on campus 7 HEIs provide short bespoke courses at companies’ premises 10 HEIs provide extra-mural courses for the public