The University of Worcester has welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision to head to the West Midlands today to deliver his economic recovery speech for the Country.
Boris Johnson will be in Dudley where he is expected to commit billions in Government investment to help the UK get back on its feet after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The University of Worcester works throughout the West Midlands to provide education and training for the many skilled professionals who are the backbone of our society.
The University works closely with Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, among others, to educate many nurses and midwives for the region – a number of Worcester students have been working on the frontline during recent weeks – and has partnerships with both Dudley College and Halesowen College, as well as many schools, and other colleges across the Black Country and the wider West Midlands region, to educate the teacher workforce.
Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor David Green CBE (also pictured above), said: “I am pleased that the Prime Minister has chosen the West Midlands to deliver this important speech on the nation’s economic recovery. The West Midlands is a thriving engine of opportunity with some outstanding businesses, organisations, universities and of course people.
“At the University of Worcester, we have committed to doing all we can to help in the recovery. One of the best ways we can do that is through the vital education of the professionals the Country needs to move forwards, the health workers, teachers, scientists, and also providing opportunities to the many hard-working people, whose industries and jobs have been decimated by the long-lasting economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, to re-train.
In a recent article for The Times Red Box, Professor Green called for the introduction of a ‘Rebuilding Britain’ programme for skills and science infrastructure projects to help universities and colleges offer many more health, science and other skilled professional opportunities to assist in ‘Rebuilding Britain’ post-pandemic.
Around 97% of students at the University of Worcester are state educated and the University is in the top 10 of UK universities which best reflect society (HEPI 2017 report). One of the best universities in the UK for widening participation it was shortlisted for University of the Year in the UK Social Mobility Awards in recognition of its record in providing opportunities for people to make the best of their own potential.
Robin Walker, MP for Worcester, said: “It is always a pleasure to welcome the Prime Minister to our neck of the woods in the West Midlands and I am delighted that at a time when our economy is entering the recovery phase after the enormous challenges of the last few months, he is choosing the West Midlands as a focus for investment.
“I welcome the spirit of innovation and public service that has been at the heart of our University’s response to the Coronavirus and the huge contribution that the University of Worcester has made to Worcester’s dynamic economy.
Mark Stansfeld, Chair of the Worcestershire LEP, added: “It is vital that we see investment in health and education as part of the recovery package for the nation. Here in Worcestershire we have some excellent businesses, including our university, which will be critical to delivering the right skills for people going forward. Wellbeing has been so important during this period and we must see investment in helping more people to participate.”