This one day online conference will consider next steps for the role of universities in contributing to local economic growth and productivity, and the development of place-based skills systems in the UK.

Those attending will explore strategies that can enable higher education institutions to align their educational, research, and civic missions with national policy, and local and labour market needs - while also taking forward other institutional priorities, and maximising practical impact for local communities and employers.

The session will cover:
• Policy, funding HEI responsibilities & implementation strategies
• Local skills planning, partnerships & HE engagement with Local Skills Improvement Plans
• Collaboration, innovation & commercialisation
• Widening access
• Monitoring & accountability.