EDUCATION
Paul Drechsler CBE , chancellor of Teesside University .
Professor Paul Crawshaw , dean of the School of Social Sciences , Humanities & Law at Teesside University .
and to ensure routes to bring this into future decision-making .”
The report notes that proposals such as a freeport for the Tees Valley should be an important part of the policy mix .
However , the benefits of such proposals need to generate deep long-term growth for the regional economy .
It welcomes the freeport assessment from the Tees Valley mayor , which emphasises the need for an economic “ high road ” for any special economic zone . The authors also question whether proposed reforms to the planning system , taking planning out of local control , are likely to yield the expected benefits for the region .
It notes that the Tees Valley has traditionally been welcoming to investors and projects such as the South Tees Development Corporation have been dealt with enthusiastically at a local level by the mayor and Combined Authority .
Dr Gray added : “ This report shows that if the Tees Valley hopes to recover and thrive after the Covid-19 pandemic , effective multi-level partnership working is required .
“ Teesside has a longstanding history of effective partnership and it is essential that the government works with local and regional actors to build on this to minimise impact and support regional growth .”
Professor Paul Crawshaw , dean of the School of Social Sciences , Humanities & Law at Teesside University , said : “ Evidence shows that for areas like the Tees Valley , the Covid-19 pandemic will further deepen already entrenched inequalities .
“ If the rhetoric of levelling up is to become reality , decisionmakers must take the findings of this report seriously and act now to instigate intersectoral collaboration and ambitious economic investment in people and industries .”
A
second report published by PACE looks at the links between higher education and further education and how they can be maximised to help rebuild skills levels in a post-Covid environment .
In particular , " FE and HE partnerships – a road to a regional skills ecosystem " focuses on the Teesside University College Partnership and how that is helping to provide a seamless pathway of education and training in response to the needs of industry .
The report recommends that the TUCP example is adopted across the UK as the country rebuilds after the coronavirus pandemic .
TUCP is a partnership between Teesside University and Darlington College , Hartlepool College , Stockton Riverside College and Redcar and Cleveland College and helps drive the higher-level skills agenda across the Tees Valley .
It was referenced as a case study in People , Productivity and Place by the Independent Commission on the College of the Future , highlighting its effective collaboration .
Through working in genuine partnership , TUCP has established an innovative , networked approach to the delivery of higher-level skills , ensuring that the location and nature of provision directly responds to regional industry needs .
Underpinned by a shared vision and decision making , TUCP provides seamless pathways of employer-responsive education and training across the Tees Valley , supporting economic growth and productivity .
For more information on PACE visit tees . ac . uk / schools / ssshl / pace . cfm
The voice of business in the Tees region | 85