University Of Life... Coming soon to an industrial estate near you!

Plumbers, roofers, electricians, decorators and administrators across the East Midlands are being invited to think about what university could hold for them as it seeks to slay the ëivory towerí image some people attribute to higher education.

The University believes it can meet the workforce development and training needs of local firms through foundation degrees and other education opportunities.

Its Regional Enterprise and Development (RED) Unit is working alongside business organisations such as Business Link to network with companies in the industrial sector and discover their needs.

Ejaz Qureshi, Head of RED (Regional Enterprise and Development) at Derby, said: ìHistorically, projects involving universities have had difficulty engaging with small- and medium-sized businesses.

ìThe view of these firms in the past has been that it is difficult to identify the correct contact and that universities prefer to deal with large companies.î

But Derby now says successful work in the Amber Valley could result in a blueprint for it to follow in other areas.

A successful partnership project has seen Derby team up with the Heanor Gate Management Association, funded by the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership and supported by Business Link, to encourage training and staff development in higher level skills across small- and medium-sized firms (SMEs) in the Amber Valley area.

During this pioneering project, Nena Dubaic, a Workforce Development Adviser seconded from the Derbyshire Chamberís Business Link (DCBL), supported the companies and brought the three organisations much closer.

She worked with 90 businesses (with over a third outside the Amber Valley area) to plan training activity for over 120 employees focused on achieving clear business benefits. Graduates became an effective resource for injecting innovation and change projects with employers.

Elsewhere, through RED, three members of staff who work for Advanced Roofing and Flooring Ltd, based in Lyndal Court, Ilkeston, have signed up to study for foundation degrees at Derby.

Contracts Manager Mark Dodd, Estimator Kevin Goodall and Receptionist and Clerical Assistant Natalie Stevenson will all study on courses related to their individual career development.

The firm recently scooped a business award from Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce and Derbyshire Business Link for its work in helping provide development opportunities for staff.

Managing Director Gordon Harris said: ìWe are very keen to help staff develop their skills. Every employee has a development plan related to our corporate plan which helps them increase skills and help us to grow as a company.

ìA few years ago I would have been very sceptical about working with a university to provide opportunities for staff to train.

ìNow we have built these links with the University of Derby we know about the courses available which will provide staff with the opportunities they need to develop their careers and enhance our business.î

Mr Qureshi said: ìThis new approach of working has been an unparalleled success.

îPeople have become more aware of the range of services in training, research and knowledge transfer available and feel less nervous about approaching the University of Derby.

ìWe plan to learn from this model of working and apply for funding to roll the model out across the East Midlands region.î

The partnership hopes to make contact with other industrial areas to assess firmsí employee training needs. These could include Codnor Gate, Coates Park and Alfreton trading estates.