Economic development strategy - London Borough of Hillingdon

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EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY Brunel University Brunel University is a centre of excellence with significant potential for drawing business to the area, especially engineering and high tech businesses, which will be attracted by the source of quality graduates. The recent increase in the number of undergraduates coming to Brunel from West London highlights opportunity for high-tech engineering businesses, as the sub-region will increasingly offer a resident, quality graduate market from which to recruit. Despite the opportunity for business growth presented by Brunel University, the borough’s growth in high tech services and manufacturing has fallen behind the rest of London. It is thought that Hillingdon’s limited supply of high tech business start-up units may be the cause of this under achievement. This represents a lost opportunity to develop new businesses and keep graduates in the sub region. The role of Brunel University as a driver of innovation, change, growth and an asset to borough residents and businesses needs to be fully recognised and promoted. Brunel has the power to influence and not just respond to the labour market. For example: 1. West Focus – This is a government backed, fiveyear programme involving seven higher education institutions in West London. The initiative seeks to ensure that the economic and social potential of this combined knowledge base is realised through full engagement with local businesses and the local community. West Focus will aim to tackle fragmented enterprise support and with Brunel as a leading force in its development, represents a valuable opportunity for local enterprise. 2. Key Workers - Brunel’s training of key workers including physiotherapists, teachers, social workers, youth workers, occupational therapists etc is a significant and growing proportion of the University’s undergraduate population. The University reports that despite abundant local employment opportunities, few graduates currently live or work in Hillingdon. This situation represents a wasted opportunity particularly for the borough’s public services. 3. Science Park - A problem that hampers homegrown entrepreneurs is the quality and cost of business start-up accommodation. Brunel’s own science park has successfully nurtured graduate entrepreneurs and now has the financial backing to extend provision of hightech services and manufacturing business start-up units within the sub-region. Brunel has experience and a proven track record in growing innovative businesses many of which have become strong, successful companies employing highly skilled, well-paid employees. With the trend in undergraduates attending university in the area where their parents live, an extended science park is an opportunity to build a dynamic sub-region where residents are nurtured, then educated and supported to maximise their full potential while remaining residents. Brunel University: Action Brunel should be seen as integral to the development of the Hillingdon ‘brand’. The borough should recognise the strong reputation of the university for excellence in the fields of bio-technology and bio-engineering, sports, multimedia technology, etc. Brunel is a major draw for students, businesses and academics, and presents an opportunity to generate a dynamic knowledge 21 HILLINGDON’S ECONOMIC STRATEGY FOR A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY 2005-2015 - A PROSPEROUS BOROUGH
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY economy that extends beyond the university and into the borough’s schools and colleges. Key actions include: • West Focus - Hillingdon should fully embrace the opportunity presented by West Focus and actively communicate its aims and integrate its objectives into other programmes. Hillingdon Business Forum may be a potential vehicle for engaging the wider business community in the initiative. • In an attempt to reverse the current trend in key worker graduates moving away for work and housing, the following initiatives could be explored: o provide quality (paid) work placements for undergraduates. o build relationships between employers and undergraduates. o provide financial incentives to graduates, particularly in hard to recruit to posts such as maths and science teachers, for example ‘golden handcuffs’. o work collaboratively with colleagues in housing to develop a partnership approach to key worker housing. • Science Park – focusing on bio-engineering and environmental engineering. Every support needs to be given to Brunel to identify and secure a site to expand the existing science park. The location of this science park could bring wider regeneration benefits to areas within the borough suffering economic and social exclusion. The legacy of this commitment is likely to be felt for many years to come as young people become inspired and then engaged in highly skilled, highly paid, local employment. • The University for Aviation concept unites Hillingdon’s strategic advantage of proximity to the world’s busiest airport and the university with its proud engineering background. Further collaboration to engage a range of agencies including Uxbridge College, would support the creation of a flagship initiative for the borough. • There is scope to explore how successful and experienced institutions such as Brunel University and Uxbridge College can contribute to addressing falling standards in our schools. Opportunities such as mentoring, student exchanges, role modelling, etc, will be among the areas explored. HILLINGDON’S ECONOMIC STRATEGY FOR A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY 2005-2015 - A PROSPEROUS BOROUGH 22
Page 1 and 2: A prosperous borough Hillingdon’s
Page 3 and 4: Contents Foreword Hillingdon’s ec
Page 5 and 6: Hillingdon’s economy, our aspirat
Page 7 and 8: HILLINGDON’S ECONOMY, OUR ASPIRAT
Page 9 and 10: Key economic opportunity areas © C
Page 11 and 12: Transport and Heathrow
Page 13 and 14: To Watford Rickmansworth Moor Park
Page 15 and 16: TRANSPORT AND HEATHROW Transport: A
Page 17 and 18: TRANSPORT AND HEATHROW Heathrow: Ac
Page 19 and 20: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND THE KNOWL
Page 21 and 22: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND THE KNOWL
Page 23: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND THE KNOWL
Page 27 and 28: EQUALITIES Equalities issues The pr
Page 29 and 30: HILLINGDON FOR BUSINESS AND THE HIL
Page 35 and 36: Housing, environment and quality of
Page 37 and 38: HOUSING, ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY OF
Page 39 and 40: APPENDIX 2 Table illustrating the l
Page 41 and 42: APPENDIX 3 A prosperous borough Act
Page 43 and 44: APPENDIX 3 A prosperous borough Act
Page 45: Translation service Obtaining infor

Economic development strategy - London Borough of Hillingdon

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