A University that means business
KNOWLEDGE NEWS
Santander deal to boost employability The University of Wolverhampton and Santander UK have signed a three-year deal worth £120,000 to support student entrepreneurship. Each year the bank will fund two students on an international study scholarship and a minimum of five students for international graduate work experience in Europe and South America. It will also fund a new Business Breakfast Club with the University’s Business School, create a Business Plan Challenge, and help fund the Students’ Union Employment Support Fund which helps students with cash awards to cover interview costs and training courses.
Morgan partnership drives student experience forward Engineering students will benefit from a range of practical experience and motor racing opportunities as part of an official agreement with the Morgan Motor Company. The independent British motor manufacturer’s collaboration with the University is the latest development in its ongoing multi-million pound investment in engineering equipment, facilities and courses at Telford Innovation Campus. The investment includes motor racing workshops and two new car bays to support the students’ work on Formula 3 and Morgan racing cars.
SPRING 2016
University of Wolverhampton Race Team students will have the opportunity to work alongside traditional craftsmen on a range of Morgan vehicles and can also get involved in the annual AR Motorsport Morgan Challenge, a one-make race series for racing Morgans sponsored by the company’s performance arm. Steve Morris, Morgan Managing Director, said: “Morgan cars have been built locally in Worcestershire since 1909 and each car celebrates traditional manufacture whilst embracing modern design. Working alongside engineering students on a number of projects will bring added benefits to both parties whilst affording students an invaluable insight into the world of car manufacturing and racing.”
Santander is also providing an additional £15,500 over a year to support work placements and internships within small to medium enterprises. The agreement was signed in February by University ViceChancellor, Professor Geoff Layer and Robin Foale, Managing Director of Santander Universities UK.
New City Campus hub promotes apprenticeships Work has started on transforming a former pub into the University’s new Apprenticeship Hub
Artists' impression of the new Apprenticeship Hub.
New schemes encourage entrepreneurial spirit Two new schemes are inspiring local people and businesses to be entrepreneurial and innovative, helping to promote economic growth in the region. The University of Wolverhampton has teamed up with Virgin StartUp as a delivery partner, helping local people put their business ideas into practice in the Black Country.
United Living and EDF Energy. Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “The government is committed to providing three million apprenticeships during this parliament – the majority of which will be higher level skills with a The £500,000 project, which includes over requirement that courses meet the skills £200,000 funding from the Black Country needs identified within each region. Local Enterprise Partnership, is turning the former Feathers pub on Molineux “The University will offer technical and professional higher and degree Street into a central hub for apprentices, employers and learning providers. apprenticeships as well as progression from intermediate and advanced With a focus on professional and technical apprenticeships – thus driving up skills skills, the Hub will provide information and levels in the region and responding to the planned introduction of an Apprenticeship guidance about the apprenticeships on offer at the University. Levy from April 2017.” The University’s first higher level apprenticeship has already started, delivered in partnership with Wolverhampton Homes, Wakes Construction, Burrows Construction,
The Hub is part of the University’s ongoing £250m investment generation programme. For more information and updates, visit: wlv.ac.uk/apprentice
Lord Swraj Paul Building
The government funded scheme offers budding entrepreneurs fixed rate start-up loans and mentoring, finance, practical advice and support as part of the Virgin StartUp package. The University has also attracted funding to bring together new graduate high-level skills and product development business needs in a short-term, supervised project placement. The Business Interfacing Graduates Scheme (BiG) is aimed at businesses creating a new product. Participating businesses will benefit from the involvement of a technical graduate dedicated to working on their design, simulation, product or software development. For more information on the Virgin StartUp scheme, visit: wlv.ac.uk/virginstartup For more information on BiG, visit: wlv.ac.uk/bigscheme
University supports pro-Europe campaign The University of Wolverhampton is supporting the campaign to stay in Europe following the announcement of the EU referendum date in June. In an official statement, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “The European Union has been very supportive of the University and its role in economic development. Higher education is about learning from all and working collaboratively." Read the full statement on the University website.
The new home of the University of Wolverhampton's Business School has been unveiled at a special event. On Tuesday 22 March 2016, an official naming ceremony took place at the new building, which has been named after the University’s Chancellor, The Rt. Hon Lord Paul of Marylebone. The Lord Swraj Paul Building is the newest addition to the University estate and continues the Business School’s distinguished history of providing business education in the city. For over 80 years, the Business School has been raising the aspirations of burgeoning entrepreneurs and its new £18m home aims to provide the best
possible facilities and student experience. The sixstorey building includes innovative teaching and learning spaces, an IT suite, consulting rooms and informal spaces perfect for meetings and private study. The Lord Swraj Paul Building forms a central part of the University’s ambitious Our Vision, Your Opportunity programme, which seeks to generate £250m of investment into new facilties, research, courses and development of staff. Following a drinks reception and welcome from the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, invited guests at the naming ceremony were treated to a luncheon hosted by Lord Paul. A leading businessman and active member of the House of Lords, Lord Paul has been Chancellor of the University since 1999. He is the founder and Chairman of Caparo Group.
Green Shoots Plus hands out £1m+ To find out more and to apply, visit wolverhamptonbsc.com/greenshoots
Health technical college is UK first A new multi-million pound technical college has officially opened, making it the first specialist health facility of its kind in the UK. The £10m Health Futures University Technical College (UTC) in West Bromwich offers a range of courses aimed at young people to equip them for careers in the health care and health science professions. The UTC is sponsored by the University of Wolverhampton, West Midlands Ambulance Service and Midcounties Co-operative Pharmacy along with 20 other employer and educational partners including NHS
Foundation Trusts in the Black Country and Birmingham. Invited guests were given a grand tour of its facilities including science laboratories, simulation and skills units, a mock hospital ward, a visualisation centre, IT suites, and a rooftop games area and gym. Robert Fell, Principal Headteacher said: “The UTC has a strong focus on science but we also cover a range of traditional subjects at GCSE and A-level, as well as practical and technical." For more information please visit: healthfuturesutc.co.uk
With a cheque for £1m, front from left, chairman of the Green Shoots fund board Professor Ian Oakes, Express & Star Editor Keith Harrison, and University of Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre Manager Gary Dimmock, with board members
Over £1m in grants has been handed out through the Green Shoots Plus scheme, helping small to medium-sized businesses create 123 jobs in the process.
A further £1.2m is being agreed and £2m is still up for grabs, with local MPs urging more companies to submit bids. Funded by the Regional Growth Fund and a partnership between the University and the Express and Star, Shropshire Star and Hereford
Times, the scheme aims to promote growth and safeguard hundreds of jobs at advanced manufacturing and technology SMEs across the Black Country, Stafford, South Staffordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Herefordshire.
Ground-breaking for Science and Technology Prototyping Centre Work has started on a new multi-million pound centre which will provide high-tech offices, labs and workshops for science and engineering businesses in Wolverhampton.
Contract opportunities at Meet the Buyer event Over 60 local businesses attended an event in March to explore opportunities to aid Clegg Construction Ltd in the build of the Science Park’s new Science, Technology and Prototyping Centre, among other projects supported by the Black Country Growth Deal.
Taste of success for Telford catering team Telford Innovation Campus’s catering team scooped the award for Value Chain Management at the Trip Bottom Line Procurement Awards, in recognition of its sustainable, environmentally friendly catering service.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held in February at the site of the new Science, Technology and Prototyping Centre, to mark the start of work. The £10.1m, three-storey development is being built on land at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park and will offer 4,000 square metres of space for high specification laboratory and workshop space, as well as a café and space for parking. Designed by the Fairhurst Design Group and built by Clegg Construction, the unrivalled specialist space is perfect for scientific-based businesses to enhance their research and development
Business highlights
C4 deal is game on for SPARK company
Left to right: UoW Deputy Vice–Chancellor and Chief Executive of the Science Park, Professor Ian Oakes – Professor Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor, UoW – Mr Ninder Johal, Black Country Chamber President & Black Country LEP Board Member – Mr Nigel Babb, Commercial Director, UoW Science Park – Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, Wolverhampton City Council – Mr Tim Walker, Construction Director, Clegg Construction Ltd
activities. The project, due to be completed in spring 2017, has been funded through a £4.8m grant from the Growth Deal to the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, with the remaining £5.3m coming from the University. Deputy Vice–Chancellor and Chief Executive of the Science Park,
Professor Ian Oakes said: “This exciting new development will be the only facility of its type in the Black Country. We already have around 80 businesses based at the Science Park and this new centre will attract another 30, bringing with them high-value jobs for the area and for graduates.”
Gaming company RetroFist, based at the SPARK Business Incubation Centre at the University’s Science Park, has had its new app Fire Fu snapped up by Channel 4’s All 4 Games. For more information on SPARK, visit: sparkspace.co.uk
Procurement team shortlisted The University’s five-member procurement team has been nominated in the National GO Awards’ Procurement Team of the Year category, which highlights the very best that public sector procurement has to offer.
Training and Events DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Walsall Business Week will take place from Monday 6 to Friday 10 June 2016. The University will be hosting a number of business-focused events at Walsall Campus on Friday 10 June.
Executive Education As well as inspiring the next generation of business professionals, the University of Wolverhampton Business School supports executives in their continuing development.
Support for Staffordshire Armed Forces The University has signed up to join Staffordshire Armed Forces’ Community Covenant to provide education and training in the region, including a course designed to assist service personnel in setting up a business.
VC joins Social Mobility Advisory Group Geoff Layer, the University’s ViceChancellor, has joined a new group launched by Universities UK to improve access and long-term success for under-represented groups in higher education.
The Caparo Executive Education Suite, housed in the brand-new Lord Swraj Paul building, is a prestigious space with views across the city, dedicated to training the region’s business leaders. The exceptional learning environment is complemented by the Business School's Executive Education programme, designed to deliver immediate results for organisations and individuals.
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Whatever stage of your career, there are development opportunities to match; whether you’re a senior executive looking to gain insight into enterprise leadership, or a new manager ready to learn and develop strategies and tactics, accredited programmes are available to equip you with the relevant skills.
The new PSC Register: what you need to know
Recent University investment, including the development of the Lord Swraj Paul building, is geared as much to regenerating the economy and fostering entrepreneurial spirit as it is towards enhancing the student experience.
Help your business fly with drone training course
Book now on to the Winning Business Series Successful leaders never stop learning. Leading companies cannot afford to be out of touch. The Winning Business Series will bring your company up to speed with the latest business ideas. Join a breakfast briefing or attend a one-day workshop delivered by the University’s Executive Education experts. All sessions and workshops are held in the Executive Suite and free to attend, but prior booking is required. Forthcoming events include:
How does intellectual property affect your business?
Workshop: Presenting to Win
World Intellectual Property Day Celebration
Cyber Essentials
From March to December 2016, the three-day RPCS course runs once a month at three West Midlands locations: University of Wolverhampton Science Park, Business Solutions Centre Telford and Business Solutions Centre Hereford. Prices start from £800 (excluding VAT). The University already offers businesses a fully integrated service utilising three different types of radio-controlled drones, complete with high definition cameras designed to capture video and still images. For more information and to book, please contact Alessandro Nicholas at: a.nicholas2@wlv.ac.uk
More details can be found on the government website at: gov.uk
Breakfast: Agile to Win
To book and to view the full calendar of events, visit: wlv.ac.uk/execed
Remote Pilot Certification for small unmanned air systems (RPCS), offered in partnership with Rheinmetall Unmanned Systems Training Academy (RUSTA), provides the skills and qualification for commercial drone pilots to operate safely and legally in UK airspace.
Companies need to maintain a PSC register from 6 April 2016 and file relevant details with Companies House from 30 June 2016, which will become available for public inspection on a central register form.
Tuesday 19 April 2016
Tuesday 17 May 2016
Take your business to new heights with a new course offered by the University’s Business Solutions Centre.
The Register of Persons with Significant Control (PSC) is a statutory register which most UK companies and Limited Liability Partnerships will be required to keep to identify and record individuals who have significant control over a company.
Workshop: Inside the Mind of the Buyer
Tuesday 3 May 2016
MAC3168
Business highlights
During the past 12 months, one in three companies have been affected by cybercrime according to the Information Security Breaches Survey. The total cost to small businesses is estimated to range from £75,000 to £310,000. In an effort to understand threats and mitigate risks, the University – in partnership with the National Cyber Skills Centre – is offering your organisation the opportunity to implement Cyber Essentials, the government-backed and industry-supported scheme to help businesses protect themselves against common cyber attacks. For further information, including how to book on to Cyber Essentials and Cyber Bites short courses, please contact Christine Foss by email: christine.foss@wlv.ac.uk or tel: 01902 323 862.
Tuesday 26 April 2016, 8am-10am Business Solutions Centre Hereford To celebrate World Intellectual Property (IP) Day, a representative from the UK’s Intellectual Property Office will deliver a lighthearted and informative overview of how IP can affect us all. Exploring examples of how easy it is to breach IP regulations and the potential consequences of doing so, this free event also offers advice and guidance to benefit your business including where to get assistance with IP and specific patent enquiries. Join us for breakfast and networking at 8am before the event starts at 8.30am. For more details, including booking, visit: wolverhamptonbsc.com/events
KNOWLEDGENEWS For more information Tel: 01902 321 272 Email: enquiries@wolverhamptonbsc.com Visit: wlv.ac.uk/knowledge