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COUNCIL CHIEFS’ NEW BID TO STOP ‘BRAIN DRAIN’ IN TOWN
PLANS to establish a university in Rochdale to stop a ‘brain drain’ from the borough could take a big step forward.
Around 80 per cent of students at Rochdale Sixth Form College currently go on to university – but most do not return to live and work in the town after they graduate.
Council chiefs are now set to sign off on proposals to work with Hopwood Hall College to significantly increase higher education provision.
The new university would focus on advanced manufacturing – creating a ‘unique’ offer that would address the skills gap in the sector at local, regional and national level.
A council report says there is ‘great scope’ for Rochdale to specialise in this area, by working with ‘existing local industry.’
It states: “Rochdale must create an offer which employers in the region, who are upskilling their staff, will be keen to use.
“Alongside this, there is a further opportunity to create degree level apprenticeships, educating and upskilling the next generation as a dynamic workforce in these growth industries.”
A site for the proposed university centre or campus is yet to be identified. But the report notes there is an ‘impetus to act swiftly’ due to an expectation funding would have to be spent during the current parliament ie before May 2024.
A higher education partner would also be needed, and talks with a number of ‘major universities’ in the north of England – including Huddersfield and Salford – are understood to be underway.
The proportion of people in Rochdale educated to degree level or higher is below the regional and national average – something reflected in the low wages many take home.
Council leader Allen Brett said: “We do have a brain-drain of young people going out of Rochdale and we want to do our utmost to keep them in Rochdale and spending the local pound.”
Julia Heap, principal and CEO of Hopwood Hall College – which already offers foundation degrees – has welcomed the move.
Rochdale council’s cabinet meets at 6pm tonight.