TO BE PUBLISHED May 2026
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This conference will consider next steps for the role of universities in contributing to local economic growth and productivity, and the development of place-based skills systems in the UK.
The planned agenda will examine implications of the collaboration and specialisation agenda set out in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper alongside measures announced in the 2025 Autumn Budget - such as the commitment by government of £9bn in funding for the Industrial Strategy priority sectors, and the launch of the AI Strategy for UK Research and Innovation alongside £1.6bn of targeted funding for the AI sector.
Areas for discussion include the way forward for the higher education sector in working with partners to deliver high-quality education and training aligned with national and regional industrial priorities, fostering innovation, and supporting the economic resilience of both the localities of universities and institutions themselves.
Higher education strategy & skills planning
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss key steps and practical considerations for implementing the White Paper’s proposals on local skills planning, including the integration of Local Skills Improvement Plans into higher education strategies, and alignment of provision with local workforce needs and priority sectors. Delegates will assess strategies and emerging practice for building effective partnerships between universities, further education providers, local authorities and employers - including small and medium-sized enterprises - to address skills gaps.
Further discussion is expected on engagement with initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, and how curricula, work-based learning, and careers support can be structured to retain flexibility needed to respond to changing labour market conditions.
Collaboration & innovation
Attendees will consider options for the design of shared services, joint programmes and regional innovation hubs, and circumstances in which institutional consolidation or new partnership models may be appropriate.
Further discussion will look at the development of higher education institutions as local anchors for research, innovation and knowledge exchange - including through spin-outs, start-ups and research commercialisation - and frameworks for the use of support mechanisms such as the Higher Education Innovation Fund, Local Innovation Partnerships Fund and Strategic Priorities Grants that balance regional development objectives with institutional autonomy, local responsiveness and financial sustainability.
Widening access
The agenda will also look at priorities for widening participation and addressing higher education cold spots. Areas for discussion include potential implications of the proposed international student levy and domestic tuition fee changes for access, institutional sustainability and local provision. Attendees will consider approaches, such as contextual admissions, targeted outreach and support for under-represented learners, as well as ways to ensure parity and effective pathways between academic and technical routes - including V Levels, T Levels and apprenticeships - for adult learners, mid-career reskilling and those who do not fit traditional entry points.
Monitoring & accountability
We expect further discussion on regulatory, legal and accountability frameworks for regional partnerships, including quality assurance, data and metrics for assessing economic, skills and social outcomes, and how universities can contribute to a coherent local skills and innovation offer that benefits learners, employers and communities.
