Former Cabinet Minister Launches University of Worcester Levelling Up Report

FORMER CABINET MINISTER, THE RT. HON. JUSTINE GREENING, HAS FORMALLY LAUNCHED THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER’S NEW LEVELLING UP REPORT DURING A SPECIAL VISIT TO THE CITY.

Ms Greening delivered a talk at The Hive as part of the HiveAt10 celebrations. Her talk, titled ‘Universities as engines of social mobility’ focussed on how the country’s higher education institutions like Worcester are at the centre of levelling up communities.

As part of the talk, Ms Greening, who served as Secretary of State for Education 2016-18, Secretary of State for International Development 2012-16, Secretary of State for Transport 2011-12 and Economic Secretary to HM Treasury 2010-11, formally launched the University’s Levelling Up report, which sets out how the University is working in partnership to provide opportunities and increase social mobility.

Justine Greening said: “The University of Worcester, under the leadership of Professor David Green, has demonstrated a commitment to being an anchor institution and spreading equality of opportunity. With the current cost of living crisis, there has never been a more important time for universities to articulate their purpose and make sure they are having a wider social impact.

“The University of Worcester has positioned itself at the heart of the city by creatively opening up its facilities for public benefit. Having visited The Hive as part of its 10 year celebrations, I saw and heard first-hand the incredibly positive impact it has on both students and local communities. It is a shining example of social mobility and how universities can make a real difference.”

One of Britain’s most influential campaigners for improved opportunities, social mobility and levelling up both inside Government and outside, in 2018 Ms Greening co-founded the Social Mobility Pledge to bring organisations together to improve social mobility.

She then went on to launch the Purpose Goals, which provide a framework to focus efforts on driving equality of opportunity at key life stages.

Professor David Green CBE, DL Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Worcester, which is one of the UK’s top universities for inclusion and social mobility said: “We have been honoured to work with Justine and her team on producing our Levelling Up report and were delighted to welcome her to The Hive, as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, to formally launch the report.

“Colleagues across the University are very committed to providing an outstanding high quality education for individuals, that is driven by an inclusive ethos, as well as engaging in practical partnerships that create opportunity for people and their communities.”

Ms Greening is also a notable campaigner for women and girls and played a key role in ensuring that the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal for Gender Equality was included in the Goals (SDG 5).

When Times Higher Education (THE) first reported on University Impact in 2019, it found that the University of Worcester was number one in the UK and number four in the world for Gender Equality. Worcester has been the top University in the UK for fair gender pay for all 5 years since the UK Gender Pay Gap reporting was launched.

The multi award-winning Hive, which was opened by HM The Queen during her Diamond Jubilee year in 2012, is Britain’s first university and public library and has regularly been among the most visited libraries in the UK.

The HiveAt10 is a celebration of the successful 10-year partnership between the University of Worcester and Worcestershire County Council to create this facility. Over the next few months there will be a series of events and exhibitions that showcase what The Hive has to offer, past, present and future.

Professor Karen Bryan VICE-CHANCELLOR OF YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY

Working with communities to advance and support human capital

When York St John University became a member of The Purpose Coalition in 2021 it gave us the opportunity to reflect on our role within the wider Levelling Up agenda. Using the Purpose Goals as a framework, we produced our Levelling Up Impact Report, highlighting and measuring our work in building skills and spreading opportunity.

‘Levelling Up’ has long been the business of higher education institutions, although the term ‘Levelling Up’ is a relatively new label. Indeed, the sector as a whole has an extensive trackrecord of investing in the capital of their respective cities and regions. For example: York St John University was founded in 1841 as a teacher training college to help resolve a national shortage of educators so that local children could access education. Since then, the needs of our society have evolved and we have evolved along with them. What has remained consistent however, is a commitment to investing skills back into our region. Recent developments have seen York St John University expand its academic portfolio into areas such as nursing, working with the local NHS trusts to meet key skills shortages in the region. With 70% of our students choosing to remain in Yorkshire following graduation, we are in a strong position to build and maintain a direct pipeline of talent into sectors with crucial needs for graduate level skills.

Alongside discipline specific developments, we work with our students to develop their transferable skills, equipping them for the rapidly-evolving world of work. This is underpinned by opportunities for real-world application including impactful placements such as our Prison Partnership Project.

The project enables students to experience the impact of theatre within a criminal justice setting, working alongside female prisoners and staff to deliver creative programmes which in turn develops student’s facilitation skills as professional practitioners.

At our London Campus, the Venture Creation Lab provides an alternative to the traditional placement year model for entrepreneurial students. Working alongside industry experts, students design and develop their own technology businesses building on their leadership skills and business acumen.

The skills we foster amongst our student body provide a unique chance for social change. With over 80% of our students joining us from one or more underrepresented group in Higher Education, we can make a real difference in raising the skills profile of underrepresented communities and providing access to opportunities. We work closely with schools and colleges in the region to break down the barriers associated with admission to Higher Education in order to promote social mobility. Our data shows us that students are no less likely to achieve based on their backgrounds. By harnessing the skills they gain through university study, our graduates go on to represent their communities and challenge inequalities as the next generation adding diversity to the workforce. But universities are not just about building human capital within their own four walls. Through our co-designed suite of degree apprenticeships (including our Police Constable and Data Scientist apprenticeships) and tailored short course packages, we are supporting local businesses to upskill their workforces for the future. Our Enterprise Centre, located within our city centre campus, provides a business start-up space and incubation facility for local SMEs with access to training, mentoring and coaching. Delivered as a collaboration with business support organisations within the city including the University of York, City of York Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, the centre equips fledgling businesses with the skills they need to flourish.

Human capital also extends beyond the workforce, it is engrained in the day-to-day experiences of communities we live and work in. Like many universities who are anchored in their regions, we work with our community to understand and address the challenges they face. Our efforts are multi-faceted and stretch across our academic practices. From our academic research, driven by the Institute for Social Justice, to facilitate collaborative research and partnerships which expose and tackle some of the inequalities and injustices facing society today. To services delivered by our staff and students which bridge key gaps in regional provision for disadvantaged communities. Our Communities Centre provides free or low-cost counselling services to members of the local community and partners with the NHS to accept referrals for individuals leaving NHS services who require a little more support. Our Law Clinic, facilitated by final year law students and staff, enables access to legal advice and assistance for those who cannot afford help and who otherwise would be unable to access justice. These are just some of the ways we are utilising our human capital for the benefit of others, building community resilience and supporting pride in place.

It is clear that there is still a significant role for higher education to play in levelling up the UK. Universities are enablers of societal progression, helping to release potential and advance knowledge for the benefit of all. Regardless of individual strategy, we are, at our core, advancers and supporters of human capital.