Universities help businesses through the down turn

The academic arm of the UK is no longer purely driven by Government-funding for school-leavers looking for a career. It has turned its attention to additional revenue streams, such as research, knowledge transfers and business collaborations.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) promotes and funds high-quality, cost-effective teaching and research in universities and colleges.

It says the synergies between knowledge exchanges, teaching and research have been realised and there is greater recognition, by academics and external organisations, of the value and benefits of working together on a diverse range of problems and initiatives.

There are many drivers for this new trend. Not least the fact that since 2004 the UK's university base has lost a substantial amount of government funding. It’s now vital for them to find other sources of income. And thankfully for manufacturers, one of those comes from collaborations with businesses.

So, how can universities benefit you?

SME’s can now turn to the UK's academic arm for a helping hand in a whole variety of areas. There’s a whole host of activities driven through institutions primarily aimed at linking with business needs.

This so called 'Third Stream Activity' includes KTP’s, specialist facilities, economic partnerships, innovation and stakeholders.

Training for a brighter future

Northwest universities now have more than 70 courses relating to the manufacturing sector ranging from CPD to full foundation, bachelors and postgraduate degrees. UCLAN has six industry partners for its CPD Food Waste and Resource Solutions.

Those put off by drawn out qualifications can take some comfort in the knowledge that the universities are trying hard to speed things up. Places such as MMU already have an open professional programme where they can validate small chunks of training fast. Most now allow people to take one module and a few months later another, thereby building up a qualification.

Northwest University Association (NWUA) says universities have adapted training to flex to a business model – aiming to adapt, progress and take away the bureaucracy involved.

Regardless of which, it's quality assured, compared to the short-fix private courses often available. Choosing a University to up-skill carries a whole heap of 'prestigious' along with it. Everything is validated. And when you have an MBA from MMU it's recognised worldwide.

A competitive edge

Given the current climate, high quality of courses and processes could give those involved a more competitive edge.

The universities are listening to what kind of support businesses need and flexing around them.

11 institutions in the Northwest identified interests in manufacturing related activities, including advance machining, bioprocessing, design and intensification, fluid dynamics and more. (To see how universities have delivered training flexibility to business go to NWUA website).

Manufacturing research

One of the NWUA’s primary focuses is working with cluster organisations. And it boasts many research centres and institutes dedicated to transferring manufacturing skills. For example the University of Manchester UMARI, which carries out Aerospace research, and the Northwest Composites Centre. Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre is also a focal point for research on electrical systems for extreme environments.

There’s a whole variety of things they can offer and the list is not exhaustive. It’s not the be all and end all. NWUA is evolving business links all the time.

And it opens the door to new opportunities for SME’s who might need an injection of university know-how to get their businesses on the right track.

Did you know?

NWUA were instrumental in helping MFRC collaborate with The Bury Black Pudding Company and see the successful re-launch of their black pudding brands. Read the case study here.