Universities across the region join forces to power up the Midlands Engine.
Coventry University joined forces with six other Midlands universities earlier this week in a pioneering new partnership to provide a powerful economic resource for the Midlands Engine, after Prime Minister Theresa May reiterated her support for the initiative.
Midlands Enterprise Universities will see Coventry University alongside Birmingham City University, De Montfort University Leicester, University of Derby, University of Lincoln, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Wolverhampton, collaborate to support jobs and wealth creation in the region.
The consortium formally launched at Birmingham City University’s Curzon building this morning in front of a room of key business leaders, academics and local authority members.
The partnership brings the institutions together to create a unique pool of skills, research, expertise and facilities, which will be made available to businesses and local authorities to create jobs, boost economic growth and plug skills gaps across the East and West Midlands.
Prime Minister Theresa May, who is in Birmingham this week for the Conservative Party Conference, has already pledged her support for the Midlands Engine, setting her sights on maximising the benefits of the region’s location at the heart of the country.
Midlands Enterprise Universities will use its knowledge and expertise to support businesses and sectors key to the region’s growth, including:
· Manufacturing engineering and transport technologies
· Creative and digital design
· Food and drink manufacturing
· Health and life sciences
· Energy and low carbon technologies
Professor John Lathan, Vice-Chancellor at Coventry University, said: “The creation of Midlands Enterprise Universities signals a significant development in the way higher education institutions can contribute to the regional economy.
“Our combined collaboration with business and employers, coupled with our extended international reach and our renowned presence in our respective local communities positions us perfectly to drive forward the skills, innovation and enterprise agendas which will help the Midlands Engine foster economic collaboration, secure investment and boost growth across the region.”
The Universities collectively contribute more than £3 billion to the region’s economy and already work with many major organisations such as Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, PepsiCo, Experian, Unipart and the BBC.
They are working closely with their supply chain companies and also deliver focused support to many local small and medium sized businesses.
The consortium is also working with the Midlands Engine to develop collective plans to improve the region’s economy. These include how to develop integrated routes for developing talent in the manufacturing and engineering sector, as well as how to provide a full package of business support to smaller organisations and start-ups with growth potential.
