Our regional impact
A report by independent consultants PACEC has shown the huge impact we
are having on economic growth and prosperity across Essex, Suffolk and the
eastern region.
The report on the work of the University of Essex is part of a
study of
eleven higher education institutions across six
counties in the east of England, commissioned in partnership with the East
of England Development Agency (EEDA) and the Association of Universities in
the East of England (AUEE).
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Key findings about the University of Essex
Developing a flexible and adaptable workforce
- Essex graduates
remaining in the region after graduation contributed an estimated additional
£13.7 million in gross value added (GVA) per annum.
- We constantly engage
with businesses to assess their knowledge and skills requirements and
provide opportunities for existing workforces, from short bespoke courses to
continuous work-based learning.
Supporting innovation
We are investing heavily in engaging with businesses. A survey of
businesses showed our greatest areas of impact were:
- enhancing their
workforce and management skills and training;
- supporting the
technology, product and process innovation through providing access to
knowledge for innovation;
- helping
businesses to access new or expanding networks supporting innovation.
In addition, we are undertaking a major investment programme to create
Essex’s first innovation park – the
Knowledge Gateway.
Accelerating economic development
A survey of businesses and academics showed:
- 52 per cent of businesses believed we had a significantly positive impact in
attracting inward investment;
- 44 per cent of businesses believed we had a significantly positive impact on
attracting highly skilled (non-University) workers to the local area;
- 44 per cent of businesses believed we had a significantly positive impact on
attracting corporate research and development activity to the area.
The survey also showed we play an important role in community development
and regeneration.
Progressive employer
- We are one of the
largest employers in Essex, employing almost 2,000 staff, from highly
skilled academic and professional services staff to support staff and
technicians.
- We have a significantly
higher-than-average representation of women at professional and managerial
levels, as well as being an ethnically diverse employer with an
international perspective.
- We support local
prosperity beyond our direct employment. Our corporate expenditure in
2009-10 was £55.5 million, while staff and student spending was £38.5
million and £48.6 million respectively. This spending supports a further
1,030 jobs in the region.
Meeting social responsibilities
- Resident surveys around
our campuses in Colchester and Southend and University Campus Suffolk in
Ipswich show the positive impact of our activities, our staff and students.
Many believed we have improved their access to different types of facilities
and educational opportunities.
Surveys of our academic staff and students show significant community
engagement. Half of the academic staff surveyed, and 35 per cent of students
are engaged in activities to facilitate access to higher education amongst
the community, working with more than 2,000 children. Almost a fifth of
staff and a quarter of students engage in volunteering activities outside
the University.
- In Southend and
Ipswich, we have played an important role in urban regeneration by creating
an ‘education quarter’ alongside South Essex College in Southend and
investing in University Campus Suffolk, alongside other funders, to help
regenerate the waterfront area in Ipswich.