Read: Guest blog from Professor Karen Bryan - Vice-Chancellor of York St John University

Working with communities to advance and support human capital

When York St John University became a member of The Purpose Coalition in 2021 it gave us the opportunity to reflect on our role within the wider Levelling Up agenda. Using the Levelling Up Goals as a framework, we produced our Levelling Up Impact Report, highlighting and measuring our work in building skills and spreading opportunity.

‘Levelling Up’ has long been the business of higher education institutions, although the term ‘Levelling Up’ is a relatively new label. Indeed, the sector as a whole has an extensive track-record of investing in the capital of their respective cities and regions. For example: York St John University was founded in 1841 as a teacher training college to help resolve a national shortage of educators so that local children could access education. Since then, the needs of our society have evolved and we have evolved along with them. What has remained consistent however, is a commitment to investing skills back into our region. Recent developments have seen York St John University expand its academic portfolio into areas such as nursing, working with the local NHS trusts to meet key skills shortages in the region. With 70% of our students choosing to remain in Yorkshire following graduation, we are in a strong position to build and maintain a direct pipeline of talent into sectors with crucial needs for graduate level skills.

Professor Karen Bryan

Alongside discipline specific developments, we work with our students to develop their transferable skills, equipping them for the rapidly-evolving world of work. This is underpinned by opportunities for real-world application including impactful placements such as our Prison Partnership Project. The project enables students to experience the impact of theatre within a criminal justice setting, working alongside female prisoners and staff to deliver creative programmes which in turn develops student’s facilitation skills as professional practitioners. At our London Campus, the Venture Creation Lab provides an alternative to the traditional placement year model for entrepreneurial students. Working alongside industry experts, students design and develop their own technology businesses building on their leadership skills and business acumen.

The skills we foster amongst our student body provide a unique chance for social change. With over 80% of our students joining us from one or more underrepresented group in Higher Education, we can make a real difference in raising the skills profile of underrepresented communities and providing access to opportunities. We work closely with schools and colleges in the region to break down the barriers associated with admission to Higher Education in order to promote social mobility. Our data shows us that students are no less likely to achieve based on their backgrounds. By harnessing the skills they gain through university study, our graduates go on to represent their communities and challenge inequalities as the next generation adding diversity to the workforce.

But universities are not just about building human capital within their own four walls. Through our co-designed suite of degree apprenticeships (including our Police Constable and Data Scientist apprenticeships) and tailored short course packages, we are supporting local businesses to upskill their workforces for the future. Our Enterprise Centre, located within

our city centre campus, provides a business start-up space and incubation facility for local SME’s with access to training, mentoring and coaching. Delivered as a collaboration with business support organisations within the city including the University of York, City of York Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, the centre equips fledgling businesses with the skills they need to flourish.

Human capital also extends beyond the workforce, it is engrained in the day-to-day experiences of communities we live and work in. Like many universities who are anchored in their regions, we work with our community to understand and address the challenges they face. Our efforts are multi-faceted and stretch across our academic practices. From our academic research, driven by the Institute for Social Justice, to facilitate collaborative research and partnerships which expose and tackle some of the inequalities and injustices facing society today. To services delivered by our staff and students which bridge key gaps in regional provision for disadvantaged communities. Our Communities Centre provides free or low-cost counselling services to members of the local community and partners with the NHS to accept referrals for individuals leaving NHS services who require a little more support. Our Law Clinic, facilitated by final year law students and staff, enables access to legal advice and assistance for those who cannot afford help and who otherwise would be unable to access justice. These are just some of the ways we are utilising our human capital for the benefit of others, building community resilience and supporting pride in place.

It is clear that there is still a significant role for higher education to play in levelling up the UK. Universities are enablers of societal progression, helping to release potential and advance knowledge for the benefit of all. Regardless of individual strategy, we are, at our core, advancers and supporters of human capital.