As part of the
21st Century Workforce Development Initiative pilot, sponsored by the Royal
Academy of Engineering, Northumbria University is
delivering a mini-exec MBA programme to help executive leaders in
Northumberland develop both their leadership skills and their knowledge of their
county’s employer base.
The initiative
is the first of its kind, being place-based and employer-led with the goal to
harness the emergent opportunity for Northumberland to thrive within a net zero
driven industrial age. The employers of Northumberland have helped to design the
pilot’s four focused training programmes to develop their workforces and set
the standard for driving workforce growth and capability.
As a leading UK
offshore energy support base, the Port of Blyth was chosen to host the first
workshop where academics from Northumbria’s Newcastle Business School addressed
a cohort of senior leaders from 12 of Northumberland’s large employers. Over
the coming months these workshops will cover high-level material typically
found in an Executive MBA programme. The aim is to equip recently promoted
senior leaders, or those ready to take on senior roles, with the business
skills needed to ensure Northumberland fulfils its potential in the rapidly
emerging low carbon economy.
Northumberland has
several key investment sites to help in the drive toward clean energy and net
zero and the 21st Century Workforce Development Initiative courses are underway
to address some of what is required to support this drive, including; enhancing
digital and data capabilities, management skills and this Mini Exec-MBA.
Dr Alex Hope, Deputy
Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Law at Northumbria, said: “Through
our research, knowledge exchange partnerships and professional development
courses we already collaborate and engage extensively with businesses and
policy makers across the region, so we are delighted to be involved with this
powerful initiative to help create the leaders of the future. The opportunities
in a new net zero industrial age are considerable, with clear benefits for the
environment and for local job growth and prosperity here in Northumberland.
“Securing
investment in the region can of course have its challenges. But you only have
to look at the growing reputation of the Port of Blyth, where we are launching
our first mini MBA, to see the potential. In recent years the Port has become an
offshore energy hub of international significance and excellence and is a real driving
force behind the Northumberland economy.
Martin
Lawlor, Chief Executive at the Port of Blyth, said: “We are delighted to
support the 21st Century Workforce Development Initiative. The Port of Blyth
and its Energy Central partners are passionate about addressing industry growth
skills, particularly within the Offshore Energy sector by bringing together
employers, providers, and people within the Energy Central cluster. As a
leading Offshore Energy base, we are perfectly placed to drive forward the skills
required at all levels to support the growth of the sector.”
