New technical university will benefit south Essex

The feasibility study looked at proposals to create a new university which would partner with businesses to offer the kind of technical and commercial courses that would directly benefit students in finding the kind of highly skilled jobs which are set to flourish across south Essex.

It has found that there is a strong appetite among employers to work closely with education providers to ensure that south Essex has a facility that can provide technical STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) based courses which will help graduates access skilled jobs in growth sectors including engineering, advanced manufacturing, environmental technologies, healthcare and the creative and tourism sector.

Cllr Rob Gledhill, Chair of ASELA and Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “This is yet another exciting and game changing proposal for the region. It will help south Essex grow and ensure that local residents have access to the desirable and highly skilled jobs that are set to flourish here.

“Just two weeks ago we learned that more than 25,000 new skilled jobs will be created thanks to the transformational change Thames Freeport will deliver. These proposals have the backing of major businesses including Ford, Natwest and Leonardo and will see education and employers coming together to ensure that local people will have the very best access to these jobs.”

Cllr Ian Gilbert, ASELA lead for this work programme and Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: “This is especially good news for young residents living in areas of deprivation in south Essex who will be able to realise their ambitions locally by positively enhancing their skills to help them embark on rewarding careers right here in south Essex.

“I am also pleased that the university will seek to take advantage of the remote learning possibilities that have grown through the current pandemic to deliver skills based learning at partner organisation workplaces and facilities.”