What business values from higher education Lizzi Holman Senior Policy Adviser, Education & Skills Confederation of British Industry

Business-university relationship Graduates with the knowledge and skills business needs Graduates with the knowledge and skills business needs Science, technology, engineering and maths Science, technology, engineering and maths Employability skills Employability skills A partner for research A partner for research A place where new ideas can flourish A place where new ideas can flourish

Business links with universities Employers value university collaboration Employers value university collaboration The extent of partnerships is significant: The extent of partnerships is significant: 53% have links with universities 53% have links with universities Higher proportion in different sectors – High Tech/IT, public sector, professional services Higher proportion in different sectors – High Tech/IT, public sector, professional services

Reasons for employer links with colleges and universities Three quarters (75%) to attract future employees Three quarters (75%) to attract future employees Two thirds (66%) to enhance the reputation of their business Two thirds (66%) to enhance the reputation of their business 55% to provide research and development specific to their business 55% to provide research and development specific to their business

Barriers to business involvement with universities and colleges (%)

Looking specifically at workforce training Only 28% of employers use universities for staff development to any extent Only 28% of employers use universities for staff development to any extent Among those that don’t: 42% haven’t seen a need for HE services 42% haven’t seen a need for HE services Working with Universities UK, CBI has conducted research into business-university partnerships – ‘Stepping Higher’ report

The key findings (1 of 2) Infrastructure to respond Infrastructure to respond Right people for delivery Right people for delivery Streamlining accreditation Streamlining accreditation Building mutual understanding Building mutual understanding Agreed objectives & measures Agreed objectives & measures

The key findings (2 of 2) Recognising the employer as client Recognising the employer as client Building support Building support Adapting teaching Adapting teaching Flexibility in delivery Flexibility in delivery Funding mix Funding mix

What about employability? CBI has worked with Universities UK to research good practice – ‘Future Fit’ report CBI has worked with Universities UK to research good practice – ‘Future Fit’ report Collaboration and developing partnerships is key to success Collaboration and developing partnerships is key to success Benefits flow both ways Benefits flow both ways Dedicated resources leads to better relationships Dedicated resources leads to better relationships

CBI Higher Education Task Force What business values from higher education What business values from higher education What it is prepared to resource What it is prepared to resource How to further develop business-university relationship...? How to further develop business-university relationship...?

About the CBI... We are the premier lobbying organisation for UK business on national and international issues. We are the premier lobbying organisation for UK business on national and international issues. We work with the UK government, international legislators and policy-makers to help UK businesses compete effectively. We work with the UK government, international legislators and policy-makers to help UK businesses compete effectively. UK members of BUSINESSEUROPE and IOE UK members of BUSINESSEUROPE and IOE Offices in 13 UK regions, Brussels, Washington, New Delhi and Beijing. Offices in 13 UK regions, Brussels, Washington, New Delhi and Beijing.

...and our members CBI’s member companies, who decide all policy positions, include: over half of the FTSE 100 over half of the FTSE 100 some 200,000 small and medium-size firms some 200,000 small and medium-size firms more than 20,000 manufacturers more than 20,000 manufacturers over 150 sectoral associations. over 150 sectoral associations....about a third of the private sector workforce

Thank you Lizzi Holman Tel: For more information please visit: