Written evidence submitted by Glasgow City Regional Colleges Innovation programme (CLIC) (IGR0052)
Call for Evidence - Committees - UK Parliament
Innovation, growth and the regions
“Scotland's colleges are anchor institutions within the regions where they operate, helping to support employment and generating significant economic activity in the sectors that are most important to Scotland's current and future prosperity.”
Fraser of Allander Institute
HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT DRIVE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN OUR REGIONS?
The UK Government drives research and innovation in the Glasgow City Region (GCR) through initiatives like the City Region Deal, which provided significant funding for infrastructure, skills development, and innovation projects. This includes investments in research hubs such as the University of Glasgow’s Precision Medicine Living Lab and the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District. Additionally, funding through Innovate UK (most notably for our colleges, through the Further Education Innovation Fund) and the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) agency supports collaborative projects between academia and industry, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for technological advancement and economic growth.
HOW DOES RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN OUR REGIONS DRIVE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY IN THOSE REGIONS?
Colleges generate substantial additional economic activity in Scotland, with £225m supported in GVA, the second highest GVA output multiplier when compared to the other sectors of the economy. Therefore, the current model of research and innovation funding is not maximising the whole ecosystem, as colleges in the Glasgow City Region play a pivotal role in assisting the region in achieving its innovation goals. By leveraging their unique position within the educational ecosystem, these institutions can foster a skilled workforce, promote industry collaboration, and drive innovation development initiatives.
BUILDING A TALENT PIPELINE
Furthermore, innovation drives growth and prosperity in the region through the unique proposition that colleges offer to equip students and the existing workforce with the practical skills and knowledge required by the regions key sectors and industries. Colleges offer a range of vocational, technological and professional courses, as well as tailored support aligned to the needs of local businesses, thereby ensuring a steady supply of skilled workers. In Glasgow City Region alone, there are over 4,000 programmes in areas such as digital technology, construction and engineering, health and care, and creative industries. They are designed to match the current and future demands of the job market, and by aligning curricula with the evolving needs of the economy, colleges ensure that graduates are job-ready and capable of contributing to innovative practices within their respective fields.
Covering a large regional geography, colleges have been very active in increasing access to innovation support amongst businesses in urban areas, rural areas and other remote areas which may not have benefited from support. They especially play a key role in supporting small businesses, and by focussing on smaller businesses including third sector organisations, colleges increase access to innovation support meaning we can optimise the vital but often unrecognised role that these businesses and organisations contribute to enterprise, innovation and local economic transformation.
HOW IS RESEARCH AND INNOVATION DIFFUSED OR SUPPORTED TO DRIVE PRODUCTIVITY AND GROWTH IN THE REGIONS, WHEREVER IT MAY COME FROM?
DIFFUSING INNOVATION
With a unique relationship with local industries, colleges help foster innovation and research in some cases, with many colleges having long standing and well-established partnerships with businesses including BAE Systems, Babcock, Barclays, Howden, Glasgow Airport, Glasgow Life, Scotrail, Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, and many more, offering apprenticeships, internships, and transformation programmes. These initiatives provide students with real-world experience while allowing businesses to benefit from fresh perspectives and emerging talent. Furthermore, these partnerships often lead to collaborative projects, where students and faculty work alongside industry to develop new technologies, processes, or products. Such collaborations not only enhance the learning experience but also contribute directly to regional innovation.
GCR colleges are increasingly becoming hubs for applied research and innovation. They often focus on practical research that addresses specific challenges faced by local and in some case, global industries. By engaging in R&D and innovation activities, our institutions can help to create innovative solutions that drive economic growth, offering real estate investment opportunities up to £100 million. Colleges secure funding from various sources, including UK and Scottish government grants, industry sponsorships, and some European Union programmes, to support their innovation efforts. Through these projects, GCR colleges contribute to the advancement and translation of technology into the workforce, supporting the diffusion of key technologies in key sectors.
Many GCR colleges have established entrepreneurship programmes and innovation hubs that encourage students to develop their own business ideas. These programmes often provide resources such as mentorship, funding opportunities, and incubation spaces to help entrepreneurs turn their concepts into viable businesses. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students and staff, GCR colleges can further diffuse innovation to drive productivity and growth in our region, generating new startups that contribute to the region's economic drive and innovative landscape.
PROVIDING LIFELONG LEARNING
If innovation is to be diffused effectively to drive productivity and growth, then the rapidly changing environment, driven mostly by technology, needs to be considered as an opportunity for continuous learning. GCR colleges offer lifelong learning opportunities that allow individuals to upskill and reskill throughout their careers. By providing accessible courses in emerging fields and technologies, such as AI, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing, these institutions help the existing workforce stay competitive and adaptable. This commitment to upskilling and reskilling ensures that the region’s labour force remains at the forefront of innovation developments.
GCR colleges are a vital partner in the region’s innovation ecosystem. Through skills development, industry collaboration, R&D and innovation initiatives, entrepreneurship support, and lifelong learning opportunities, our institutions help to create a highly skilled, adaptable, and innovative workforce. As the region continues to strive towards its innovation goals, the role of our colleges will be increasingly important in driving economic growth and technological advancement and our colleges have developed innovative practices in reaching out to existing networks, building the foundations for a complementary approach to economic development and growth in the region.
COLLEGE LOCAL INNOVATION CENTRES (CLIC)
The College Local Innovation Centres (CLIC) has established specialised Innovation Centres aligned with regional economic priorities, dedicated to driving digital innovation and productivity across the region. The 12-month pilot project, funded by the Innovate UK Further Education Innovation Fund, is helping businesses across the Glasgow City Region gain access to comprehensive support and guidance on embedding and embracing digital technologies within their businesses.
Support ranges from advisory services to workforce and skills development, as well as hands-on assistance in adopting new technologies, processes, and business models through our 6 dedicated centres:
Find out more: https://www.clic.network/
23 January 2025