Bournemouth University Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Honour joined two events at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference championing youth education, skills and the South West region.
Professor Honour joined a panel convened by Policy Connect to look at a new agenda for youth NEET reduction. The event shared findings of a Skills Commission Inquiry to tackle the youth employment crisis.
Alongside a panel including the Youth Futures Foundation, BCP Council, Young Liberals and Max Wilkinson MP, Professor Honour spoke about her own journey through education and the vital role HE has to play working with education partners to improve access to education and adapting to the complex needs of young people to ensure that education remains available to young people across all levels.
The discussion also looked at barriers to young people entering employment or education, and how organisations need to work together to identify personal and skills gaps and support career and skills coaching for young people to feel empowered in their own futures. This would require organisations to work together to test and trial education activities that both supports young people and meets the region’s needs.
Bournemouth University representatives then joined the Great South West pan-regional partnership to co-host an invite-only breakfast with local businesses and MPs to champion the South West region.
The group were joined by Richard Foord MP, Chair of the South West All-Party-Parliamentary-Group, and Vikki Slade MP, with Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party Daisy Cooper MP also joining to speak with South West representatives about the strengths, challenges and opportunities in the South West region.
Businesses including Leonardo, Renewable Energy Partners, Bournemouth & Poole College and Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry joined the discussion.
The conversation ranged from the innovation taking place in the region through clean energy, defence, skills, and more, and the challenges brought to the region through devolution. The need to work together across the region, to support investment in key infrastructure and develop and retain the right talent and skills in the region.
Professor Alison Honour said, “It was good to actively engage with leaders and speak with MPs, charities and businesses about our ambitions as a university to support skills in the region and work with partners to promote the best the South West has to offer.
“We take our civic role incredibly seriously, and I was pleased to be able to listen and respond to audience questions about the role HE can play in youth education, and to speak with MPs about the issues facing higher education, and the need to protect the HE sector so that it can continue to deliver skills, and improve access and participation. Our ask is for politicians to support and champion the South West and the great role it plays in the UK in driving research, innovation and economic growth.”
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