One Year On: Strengthening university & business relations
At the 25 September 2023 meeting of the West Yorkshire (WY) SME Support Network, the WY-based universities came together with business intermediaries, employee contacts and colleagues from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority at the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre to present ways in which businesses can engage with higher education institutions to collaborate.
Sue Cooke , CEO of 3MBIC welcomed the audience, while Sarah Bowes WYCA's Head of Business, Innovation and Inclusive Economy outlined how universities can help SMEs navigate the higher education offer and how we can simplify access. Natalie Allen , Chair of the Yorkshire Universities WY Economic Development Group reiterated the role our diverse institutions play in the regional ecosystem for business growth.
The first topic of focus, jointly presented by Laura Forester-Green from The University of Huddersfield and Jo Griffiths from Leeds Beckett University was Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and Management KTPs: what they are, how they work, pathways to them, stats on costs, the current landscape and a case study with Associated Utility Supplies Ltd. who benefited from a KTP in developing and establishing methodologies for innovative product design.
The second topic, introduced by Steph Abraham from the University of Bradford was Continuous Professional Development and Training options that universities offer to organisations and employees. Steph also covered the topic of Consultancy services, as one of the principal mechanisms by which which universities and colleges transfer knowledge to public, private and third sector groups, and contribute to the growth of the economy and to the needs of society more generally.
Next, Ian Maude from Leeds Trinity University spoke about Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, that all universities in WY offer in the following areas: Construction, Digital, Technology and Broadcasting, Engineering, Health and Science, Childcare and Education, Leadership, Management and Professional Services. Ian also mentioned that all universities have facilities to hire, including: conference and meeting spaces, laboratory spaces, business incubation spaces etc.
Lastly, Elli Whitefoot from Leeds Arts University and James Warrender from Leeds Conservatoire prepared a presentation on Working With Graduates, which included insights on Transferable and Specialist Skills, and working with student studying creative subjects. Elli also spoke about all the ways in with employees can access and work with graduate talent.
What happened since last September?
Recognising the strategic importance of strengthening relationships between business and universities, over the course of the last year, Yorkshire Universities (YU), primarily led by Steph Morris has been coordinating a project with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and ThreeTenSeven to develop a joint messaging framework for engaging businesses with universities and to raise awareness among SMEs of the benefits of working with the HE sector. The framework covers themes, such as:
As part of this project, four video case studies have also been produced to demonstrate just some of the diverse ways in which businesses can engage with universities. These four videos are intended for a business audience, and they focus on the experiences of SME leaders in partnering with universities:
Powerhouse Studios are a specialist production company who deliver photography and videography assets. Find out more here: www.wearepowerhousestudios.com
Colchester Machine Tool Solutions provides machine tools to the engineering and manufacturing industry. Find out more here: www.colchester.co.uk
Little Journey is a psychological preparation web application that supports children before, during and after healthcare procedures. Find out more here: www.littlejourney.health
Nature’s Laboratory is a manufacturer of natural medicines and health products and aims to develop sustainable and effective medicines for the 21st century. Find out more here: www.natureslaboratory.co.uk
So what's next?
At the 25 September 2024 WY Economic Development Group meeting we agreed to bring together business engagement staff from across the universities and from WYCA, with those who were involved in the SME Support Network meeting last year and everyone else who is interested, to test out this joint messaging framework, to discuss how we can best make use of the related resources, share knowledge and experience and strengthen relationships in order to help more businesses grow. Would you like to be involved? Get in touch!
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