Read: Food for thought in the levelling up agenda

The University of Lincoln has focused on developing a new model to tackle social mobility which is successfully creating opportunity in a rural area, building on the strengths of the community there and leveraging the private sector.

Its strong partnerships with schools and industry offer local young people the chance to aspire to a future outside the experiences of their parents that they would not have had without the University.

The establishment by the University of Lincoln of a multi-academy trust, its campus in Holbeach and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing provide a clear path of progression for residents of Holbeach and the wider South Holland area.

It provides a social mobility pipeline that covers primary, secondary and higher education, skills and training, and employment opportunities, catering to those seeking both academic and vocational routes into their career. The case studies included in this report are prime examples of the ‘joined up’ solution to the social mobility problem that the University of Lincoln provides by leveraging the Lincolnshire Educational Trust and its close partnerships with businesses through the National Centre for Food Manufacturing.

The National Centre was successful in securing a multi-million pound investment from Innovate UK, the UK’s research investment service. This is clearly a significant headline figure but its true significance lies in the fact that the award would not have been made had the project not aligned with the long-term strategic objectives of the United Kingdom as a whole. Not only is the University of Lincoln and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing providing for the Holbeach area by supporting the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s goal of future- proofing the agri-food industry, it is also supporting UK PLC and the goal in the Government’s Industrial Strategy to reach 2.4 per cent of GDP being spent on research and investment.

• The academy trust is now responsible for the education of over 2,500 young people across five schools.

• The Centre supports over 350 apprentices in 70 businesses including Sainsbury’s and Tesco, Coca-Cola and Nestlé.

• Bakkavor and OAL Group were anchor employers who formed a key part of the University’s successful bid to establish an Institute of Technology, helping to secure £13m of capital investment into local colleges and the National Centre to advance skills in engineering and manufacturing.

Lincoln and the surrounding areas had the potential to become increasingly economically deprived. Its poor geographic connections and sparse employment opportunities would have meant that many young people would have been forced to either remain there with very few prospects, or move away to areas where they were more likely to find work. The University of Lincoln’s strategic programme of work has changed that landscape. It has provided local opportunities for local people that are a perfect fit for its rural environment but also look to the future of industry via digital and robotics capabilities. Crucially it has engaged large employers who now see the region as a talent pool that is relevant to their business needs. They have continued to work closely with employers and other local partners during the pandemic to ensure that teaching, training and learning can continue as fully as possible and that all pupils, students and apprentices are supported as much as possible.

The CBI has regularly reported its concerns about a skills shortage in the UK. Two thirds of firms are already facing digital skills shortages. It has highlighted that by 2024 almost 50 per cent of jobs will require higher level education. The University of Lincoln is already addressing the issue by investing in local solutions that will help to future proof the region. But it recognises that these must be long-term projects which should be allowed to embed themselves into the community to be as effective as possible, and to continue to make a real difference. It is enabling young people to access opportunities which improve their lives and that of their communities, facilitating individual and regional social mobility.

The work that the University of Lincoln has undertaken has been focussed, wide ranging and innovative. It has considered the challenges and skills shortages facing the area and pursued strategic partnerships, not only with other local organisations but also with global businesses. It should act as a blueprint for other universities to deliver similar results in areas where there are currently limited opportunities. This will be even more crucial as the country recovers from the impact of the pandemic. Young people need to be able to aspire to a better future for themselves and for their communities and the University is providing the means to level up Lincoln.