The impact and importance of

University Campus Suffolk

Rosalind TurnerDirector for Children and

Young People

Suffolk a unique gem

BUT, Suffolk’s communities face

CHALLENGES

Education, aspiration and progression

• Good education, low crime, glorious environment make Suffolk a good place for children and families, but…..

• Until UCS no higher education: high achieving young people leave the county and don’t return

• High achieving and aspirational young people are not attracted into the county for study and work

• Impact on entrepreneurship, economic growth, recruitment difficulties for public sector

Barriers to growth and development

• Low aspirations of the young people and families who remain in Suffolk

• Low progression to further education• Despite some notable exceptions,

overall Suffolk has a low skill, low wage economy

• Transport infrastructure and access is a barrier to development

% 16-18 year olds Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

5

5.5

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

8.5

9

2005 2006 2007

Suffolk England SN

Low educational achievement and low aspirations

There has been a reduction in the % of young people NEET, but levels remain worse than nationally and in our comparator group.

62%

56%

64%

52

54

56

58

60

62

64

Per

cent

age

%

National belowAverage

East Englandbelow Average

Suffolk belowAverage

Weekly Pay - % Employees earning below National Average

•Skill levels within Suffolk’s working population are below both regional and national averages at all NVQ levels.

•Suffolk also possesses a greater percentage of people with no formal qualifications

22.7%25%

27.4%

38.5%41.9%

45.3%

15.8%14%13.8%

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Per

cen

tag

e %

Degree 2+ A-levels No qualifications

Skill Level

Adult Skill Levels

Suffolk

East ofEngland

GreatBritain

Low skilled workforce and low wage rates

•64% (almost two-thirds) of Suffolk’s workforce is earning below the national average of £452 per week

•The East of England figure is 56%, so Suffolk’s neighbouring counties are performing better in this

category

Low skilled workforce and low wage rates

A lack of skilled labour and excess of low wage earners is unable to support new industries and not attractive to prospective new business

Gross Weekly Pay Earnings for 2007

473 484

540 552 552 556 559574

400

450

500

550

600

Geographic Area

£s

Rural accessibility

Our aim for Suffolk

“By 2028 we want Suffolk to be recognised for its outstanding environment and quality of life for all; a place where everyone can realise their potential, benefit from and contribute to Suffolk’s economic prosperity, and be actively involved in their community”

“Nothing is too good for the people of Suffolk”

Learning and Skills

• Improving learning and skills, at all levels and for all children, young people and adults is a key priority for the whole county

• One of 4 priorities in the Suffolk Strategic Partnership’s recent community strategy

• University Campus Suffolk is seen as key to driving this forward

• Working as part of a broader transformation of education and workforce development: Children’s Centres, School Organisation Review, Building Schools for the Future, adult learning and skills.

Lowestoft & Great Yarmouth

The Vision• A new model University developed in partnership with

UEA, University of Essex, FE colleges and local authorities in Suffolk

• A Major new Campus in Ipswich: regeneration of docks

• Other University Centres in Bury S.E,Lowestoft,Otley

• Innovative curriculum reflecting market engagement & employer responsiveness

• Flexible growth reflecting market demand

Suffolk Learning Network (real & virtual)

Ipswich campus

Bury campusOtley

campus

Lowestoft campus

Suffolk New College campus

LEAPLEAP

LEAPLEAP

Great Yarmouth campus

The Learning Network

• University Campuses will deliver HE courses alongside Further Education and work based learning

• LEAP centres (Learning and Enterprise Access points) will deliver community based learning and provide a link to FE, HE, job advice

• Continuum from early years children’s centres through schools and beyond

Ipswich hub – landmark waterfront development

Phase One curriculum 2007/08 – 2011/12

• Business & Management • Health Professions • Built Environment/Geography

• Communications, Broadcasting Marketing

• Conflict and Resolution

• Wellbeing

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15

Ipswich Hub Ipswich & SLN

Student Growth (FTEs)

Students from Suffolk, %

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12

%

Where are we now?

• UCS opened 1 August 2007• 3300 FTE Students• Waterfront Building on schedule• Learning Network in place, LEAP

centres planned and opening• Student number growth 8%• Phases 2 and 3 being planned

Impact

• UCS is already having a major impact: real and perceived, in offering higher education within Suffolk

• There has been significant local, regional and national investment as such a key priority

• UCS is helping deliver the broader transformation of learning and skills in Suffolk

UCS: a University for the 21st Century

Suffolk has not had a university until now, but the innovative model may help us leap beyond established models of Higher Education

However, this will need long term support and commitment from local, regional and national partners to achieve our vision and sustainability

rosalind.turner@cyp.suffolkcc.gov.uk