SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth

The University’s conference business based at Missenden Abbey works with the Missenden Walled Garden Charity on maintaining 10 acres of the grounds in the best possible way and ensure the preservation of the conservation area. All fallen trees are replanted and over the last three years we have planted 10 substantial trees within the grounds including a Black Poplar tree which is very rare in England. The historic orchard is under a five-year regeneration plan which includes increase in a number of fruit trees, regeneration of historical trees and introduction of bee hives. The plan is 70% complete within the plan’s first two years.

See also research on forestry and carbon value chains, SDGs 13 and 15.

SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Our vision is to create a great workplace for the people who work at Bucks now and in the future. Core to delivering our vision was the introduction of clear Bucks Values; to ensure people have a voice; inspire institutional pride and build on exceptional characteristics that attract and retain people.

All salaries in the University exceed the national minimum/living wage which is the governmentmandated minimum wage for over 25-year-olds. Hourly rates of pay have been standardised against the pay scale to ensure equality in pay for all posts within the University.

The University has a consistent approach to organisation design in developing structure and roles linked to curriculum growth and expansion. The University has established Graduate Teaching Assistant roles to enable entry and progression for academics.

The University has embraced the apprenticeship agenda as an employer, with nearly 30 apprentices as either new hire or existing staff. This makes a significant contribution to the diversity of our workforce as well as establishing a pipeline and progression routes for our new talent.

The number of people studying on our higher and degree level apprentice programmes have increased significantly (see SDG4) to 530, with hundreds more due to start in the coming months. All of our apprentices are in full-time, permanent positions and span a variety of age groups. Many work in the public sector, contributing to healthcare and we are working towards the start of a new Policing apprenticeship programme which will see hundreds of new police officers trained through two routes; one apprenticeship and one for degree-holders. Our apprenticeship programmes develop skills to a point where career progression is attained, leading to increased pay and employability.

We have opened two incubation hubs at our High Wycombe and Aylesbury campuses. In the immediate term these have created three new jobs and once fully occupied, the hubs will provide economic growth and employment opportunities for the area’s start-up and small businesses. We are working with our LEP and local Growth Hub to ensure the opportunities for startups and small businesses are promoted.

Buckinghamshire New University is proud to play its part of one of ten universities working within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. The arching sweep of land between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge has a unique opportunity to become an economic asset of international standing – a place that demonstrates the very best of British business and innovation, and for the benefit of local communities and the country as a whole. The Arc already contains globally renowned universities, at the heart of a business, science and technology ecosystem that makes it one of the most exciting economic growth opportunities in the world. Realising this potential can mean more jobs, of a higher quality, for existing communities and future residents, and can encourage international investment and exports for the benefit of local businesses and the national economy.

At the start of each semester, the Students’ Union employs a team of current Bucks students as Freshers’ Helpers to support our new intake of students. This is a temporary position that can fit around students’ other commitments and offers a host of benefits to the student employee including a generous rate of pay and the opportunity to develop skills to boost future employability. More than half of the Union’s elected Sabbatical Officers over the last 10 years were previously Freshers’ Helpers.

The University also recruits students as Student Ambassadors and Digital Ambassadors to support recruitment and widening participation events, and to promote the University and our students’ successes on social media.