COMBINED Universities in Cornwall director Sue Brownlow said there are four challenges quite deliberately set out in the development plan for higher education.

And those are to do with the green economy, creativity and the digital economy, health and business.

This week we take a look at how the work that is being done with businesses is moving towards a knowledge-based economy in a groundbreaking project.

Working with business has been at the heart of the CUC and they offer specialist training, equipment and access to experts and research as well as enabling employers to recruit from a pool of talented graduates in the county.

This year saw the launch of a £2 million project looking at how different models of higher education, such as the CUC, can benefit regional economic development.

Cornwall Council is leading the three-year Unicreds project – working with CUC and 14 other partners across Europe – and the outcomes are expected to shape the role of universities in driving economic development across Cornwall and Europe in the future.

It aims to demonstrate how the collaboration between universities, industry and the public sector can help transform areas into centres of excellence in research and innovation.

Contingent

Councillor Caroline Rule, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: "Universities and local authorities working together to provide education and skills training and graduate and business start-up, support and growth programmes could provide a step change in economic growth."

A contingent from Cornwall recently attended the first conference in Sweden.

Nigel Hewitt, CUC co-ordinator, said: "One of the themes that came out strongly was regions benefit most when their higher education provision grows out and remains in touch with the local geography and culture.

"We were able to highlight the way the expertise we are developing in Cornwall in marine renewable energy draws on the engineering expertise from our mining heritage coupled with our stunning coastline."

And the CUC partners appear to be making great steps in this direction.

Kevin Lavery, chief executive of Cornwall Council, said: "The presence of CUC in Cornwall plays a vital role in increasing the skill levels of the local workforce and, most importantly, developing skills provision in emerging sectors, for example, low carbon, in which Cornwall aims to be a leader.

"Through consultation with the private sector locally and through consideration of priority areas for Cornwall, CUC activity can be targeted at local need for maximum economic impact.

"Through the provision of high-skilled graduates and public sector support, businesses can have a huge transformational role in improving the economy and the link between universities, the public sector and the private sector is key to ensure the reprofiling of Cornwall's economy."

The CUC was designed with the aim of specifically using higher education to drive economic regeneration.

Earlier this year Ms Brownlow went to Brussels to speak at the annual conference about the collaboration between the CUC and businesses.

"We have got a long way to go, but other people around Europe are seeing what we have done as something they want to copy and learn from," she said.

"It is good for us and good for Cornwall."

This joined-up thinking has resulted in Cornwall Council and the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) leading the building of three innovation centres at Pool, which has just opened, Truro and the Tremough campus in Penryn.

The centres will support entrepreneurs and businesses in their early stages, as well as provide a first step on the business ladder for graduates at Tremough.

There will be office and work space and they will be directly linked to the CUC.

Mrs Brownlow said: "These provide physical facilities with hands-on support from experienced people to help businesses grow and thrive.

"Another big idea is the institute of enterprise that gives small businesses access to high-quality, world-class leadership and management training."

And she said it is starting to have the desired effect, adding: "We haven't got the drain of young people leaving the county the way we did."

Another important step change in University College Falmouth's (UCF) relationship with the region's businesses will be the creation of the £8.9m Academy for Innovation and Research (AIR), a centre for creative industries where businesses, researchers and graduates can work together on a range of projects.

And Anne Carlisle, head of UCF, said: "AIR will lift us 25 per cent above where we are now (in terms of growth).

"It is a key investment. The potential for growth is massive."

Its aim is to raise levels of business innovation, competitiveness and productivity in Cornwall, offering access to a range of practical support and resources including courses, specialist equipment and a programme of collaborative research and development.

UCF is currently waiting for formal approval of the planning.

MP Sarah Newton said: "The CUC is very beneficial to the economy.

"It gives opportunities to create better-paid jobs.

"Anything that gives people sustainable careers and higher salaries means more money into the economy. It is a very glowing picture."

Last year £1m was awarded to five separate projects in Cornwall to help the University of Exeter assist developing facilities at historically and culturally important sites.

Four museums have history and geography students working to expand what they offer to visitors and Geevor Tin Mine had the assistance of a professor to help showcase Cornish mining.

Sir Harry Studholme, chairman of the RDA, said: "The link between our universities and major companies is strengthening.

"That means our businesses are able to commercialise their research and development activity more quickly, bringing innovative products and services to market faster than ever."

● Next week we will look at the creative industries.

CORNWALL Institute for Enterprise – providing businesses and individuals with access to leadership and management programmes, tailored to their needs as well as work with schools and colleges to inspire future entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Developing entrepreneurship and enterprise – Cornwall College-led project to work with employers to ensure such programmes meet industry requirements and develop enterprise knowledge of teachers.

Higher Education Interventions – delivered by Truro and Penwith and Cornwall Colleges. This targets people in work who need to update or upgrade their skills, giving them guidance on the best way to achieve it.

Raising Aspirations – encouraging people to take up higher education opportunities in Cornwall and identifying gaps in provision.

Incubatee programme – helps graduates wanting to start a business by providing workspace, mentoring and business support at a minimal cost.

One of the first successes was Faltown Skateboards, co-founded by graduate Alex Brinnen. "We got so much free help, support and expertise," he said. "The foundations we made there really set us up for the future."

Research and the training of researchers – led by the University of Exeter this supports the expansion of postgraduate training and research.

Penwith Higher Education Centre – making university-level education and support more accessible to individuals and businesses in west Cornwall.

Higher Education for business – Truro and Penwith College-led project to tailor courses to address shortages identified by businesses.

Unlocking Cornish Potential (UCP) – provides graduates with opportunities to manage projects within businesses for six to 12 months, get training, network with other graduates and improve employability. About 70 per cent of previous UCP graduates have been offered permanent jobs with their host companies at the end of their project.

Graduate Start-up Programme – supports graduate entrepreneurs through business mentoring, training and financial subsidy. It worked with 235 graduates on a series of workshops.