The role of business in education

Sep 22 2009 By Sarah Green, The Journal

Yesterday the CBI launched Stronger together - businesses and universities in turbulent times, the culmination of a year's work by the CBI's Higher Education Task Force.

The report looks at the future of one of the world’s most successful HE sectors, as it faces tough choices as a result of the recession, increasing competition from abroad and unsustainable public funding levels.

The economic downturn makes cuts to public funding for HE inevitable, so new sources of funding have to be found. Universities and business must work together to preserve the quality of teaching and research, waste in the HE system must be cut, with universities sharing more of their services and consolidating to make efficiencies.

In order to maintain this world-class higher education system, universities and government cannot deliver this service alone and there is a vital role for business to play as new thinking is required on the financing, structure and mission of our universities if they are to sustain and strengthen their position in a rapidly changing environment.

Effective collaboration between the higher education sector, business and government will be critical to the UK’s economic recovery and sustainable international competitiveness. Business should engage more with universities, both financially and intellectually, with firms helping to design and pay for courses for the benefit of the current and future workforce.

In return for this extra investment of time and money, business will want to see more emphasis given to certain subjects, such as science, technology, engineering and maths. The Task Force argues that more should be done to prepare students for the world of work and teach them the generic skills that will help smooth their pathway into employment. The report contains a number of challenges to the universities as it argues they should focus on their strengths, and become more specialised, but also more productive by sharing more resources.

The CBI Task Force’s members are unanimous in their views that the challenges are real and urgent. Business has to step up to the challenge, as does the higher education sector, in providing highly employable graduates and value for money. Finally government must provide the incentives, framework and funding necessary.

The capabilities of the higher education sector must be fully utilised to equip our existing workforce with the skills necessary for today and tomorrow’s world.

Sarah Green is regional director of CBI North East.