May 2026
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This conference considered 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.
Those attending explored strategies that can enable higher education institutions to align their educational, research, and civic missions with national policy, and local and labour market needs - while also taking forward other institutional priorities, and maximising practical impact for local communities and employers.
Policy, funding HEI responsibilities & implementation strategies
The conference brought stakeholders and policymakers together to examine implications of the 2025 Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, which set out expectations for HEIs to increase their engagement with Local Skills Improvement Plans and support their implementation, alongside increasing collaboration with local and combined authorities and FE colleges, with the aim of better meeting skills needs of local employers.
As well as the white paper, implications of wider policy were considered, including commitments in the 2025 Autumn Budget of £9bn in funding for the Industrial Strategy priority sectors and £500m for the Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund, as well as launch of the AI Strategy for UK Research and Innovation with £1.6bn of targeted funding for AI research, infrastructure, and skills development.
We expected discussion to focus on approaches for universities in balancing national funding priorities with local needs, integrating new industrial priorities into curricula, and seeking to ensure investment in regional networks delivers measurable skills and economic outcomes.
The agenda also looked at 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 local areas in which universities operate and the institutions themselves, including attracting investment, retaining talent, and enhancing regional productivity.
Local skills planning, partnerships & HE engagement with Local Skills Improvement Plans
Sessions discussed 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 planning and alignment of provision with local workforce needs and priority sectors. Delegates assessed emerging practice for building effective partnerships between universities, further education providers, combined and local authorities and employers - including small and medium-sized enterprises - to address skills gaps and strengthen pathways into skilled employment.
Further discussion looked at engagement with initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy, and how curricula, work-based learning, and careers support can be structured to retain the flexibility needed to respond to changing labour market conditions and regional economic priorities. Attendees discussed the role of universities in supporting devolved skills systems, regional workforce alignment, and practical routes through which SMEs and local employers can access graduate talent and specialist expertise.
Collaboration, innovation & commercialisation
Options for improving the design of shared services and joint programmes were considered, including circumstances in which closer institutional collaboration or new partnership models may help strengthen regional higher education and innovation capacity in line with collaboration and specialisation priorities. Discussion also considered the potential impact of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill on partnerships and co-investment between anchor institutions and combined authorities, alongside early impact of the Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund.
Further discussion looked 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 support mechanisms such as the Higher Education Innovation Fund, Local Innovation Partnerships Fund and Strategic Priorities Grants. Attendees considered how these mechanisms can best be used so as to balance regional development objectives with institutional autonomy, local responsiveness and financial sustainability, while supporting place-based innovation, cluster development and alignment with Industrial Strategy priorities.
The role of regional innovation hubs was considered, including the development of innovation clusters supporting Industrial Strategy priority sectors. Delegates examined approaches for maximising the local economic contribution of universities within existing and emerging funding frameworks, while maintaining flexibility for institutions to pursue diverse research and innovation priorities.
Widening access
The agenda also looked at priorities for widening participation and addressing higher education cold spots. Areas for discussion included potential implications of domestic tuition fee changes for the financial sustainability of institutions’ regional provision, and equity of access in underserved areas.
Attendees considered approaches to widening reach, such as contextual admissions, targeted outreach and support for under-represented learners. Discussion also examined 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 into higher education and further study.
Monitoring & accountability
Further discussion considered regulatory, legal and accountability frameworks for regional partnerships, including quality assurance, use of data, and metrics for assessing economic and social outcomes. Delegates considered how universities can contribute to a coherent local skills and innovation offer that benefits learners, employers and communities, while recognising the differing missions of institutions and regional contexts.
As well as key stakeholders those attending included officials from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Department for Business and Trade; Department for the Economy, NI; Department for Education; Department for Transport; Intellectual Property Office; Office for National Statistics; National Audit Office; Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; and The Scottish Government.
