Regional Learning & Skills Observatory – The Way Forward

1. Regional Learning & Skills Observatory – The Way Forward The Northwest Regional Intelligence Unit Rebecca Riley – Director of Information Services (Ex Head of Research NWDA)

2. Aims of this session….. To share with delegates a case study of the NW Regional Intelligence Unit • The NW Regional Intelligence Unit journey – an example of good practice • Practical steps evolving from a data and information unit to an intelligence service • North West’s approach to delivering research to drive change • The inclusive approach to research, importance of LMI and its prominence in decision making and policy development today

3. Background • Heading up an observatory for 10 years • Previously labour market intelligence in a university • Skills policy information manager • Now applying this expertise to the wider public sector • Delivering information services nationally • Research and content creation • Websites and information portals

4. What is an Observatory?

5. What is an observatory? • There is no consistent formula • Can be divided into two types academia led and policy led • Some general themes • Informing decision makers • Facilitation of expertise • Once for all • Independence • Supporting local or niche research

6. Regional Observatories

7. Starting point in the NW • National Context in 1998 • Time for collaboration • Consultation in the region • Outline functions – economic information, website and dissemination, events and coordination • Staff: 9 – director, manager, network coordination, web developer, analysts, economist • Skills: event management, information management and sourcing • Official Launch 2002

9. Development cycle 2006 2005 2002 2001 2000 2004 2007 2008 2003 2009 2010 2011 Mapping and Gapping Future NW Consu-ltation Strategic Research RES 2003 9 staff Information Dissemination Website 9 staff Analysis Management Leadership Relationships Dissemination Website Creating learning opportunities Exposure to policy and intelligence Continuous development

10. RIU 2010 • Economic, environmental and social information • Website and dissemination • Commissioning and delivering research • Training • Regional Conference • National leadership • Staff: 9 – director, manager, analysts, information management • Diverse skills: policy, research, training, project management, analysis, relationship management

11. RIU purpose • Collation of published data and research from a wide range of sources • Data and analysis • Monitoring and benchmarking of data • Commission strategic research • The Regional Economic Forecasting Panel - Economic forecasting, published quarterly and available to business and public sector • Briefings on research/policy • Support the development of the Regional Strategy • Signposting to datasets and provide advice on usage • GIS capability and digital aerial photography • Dissemination and widening of access to information via the RIU Extranet

17. Research Programme – the beginning • Large steering group • Broad objective of regional information failures • Mapping and gapping • Open opportunity to submit ideas • Drafting of outline justifications for the work • Issues • Number of ideas and time taken to sift • Assigning priority • Managing expectations

18. Research Programme – in the end • Multidisciplinary • Focussing on challenges of common concern • Shaped by the drive for a shared regional integrated strategy • Linking Economy, Society and Environment together to achieve growth • Directed by the strategy management group • Responsive to understanding – • Outcomes • Opportunities • Issues • Addressing ‘clever questions’

19. Delivering against priorities Outcomes • Developing a low carbon economy, promoting the sustainable use of resources and minimising, and adapting to the impact of, climate change Making the region attractive to the private sector… • Ensuring the Northwest has vibrant and attractive cities, towns and rural areas, capitalising on the region’s rich cultural, heritage, sporting and university assets. • Increasing the levels of enterprise and trade and creating the right conditions for business growth and sustainability in the region. • Capitalising on the region’s strengths and assets in international trade, intellectual property, advanced manufacturing, bio-medical and digital/creative. • Increasing productivity, capitalising on the region’s innovation, science and research assets and exploiting the Northwest’s potential in the renewable and nuclear offer and worldwide opportunities from low carbon technologies. • Protecting, enhancing and developing the quality of the Northwest’s outstanding environmental, natural and coastal landscape assets. Putting people at the heart of the strategy… • Developing communities and places which are sustainable and safe, with less deprivation and disadvantage within the region. • Creating a world class skills base, improving education, attracting and retaining talent as well as tackling gaps in basic and graduate level skills. • Having a healthy population, with a reduction in health inequalities and capitalising on the economic opportunities from changing health issues • Improving the range and depth of quality employment opportunities for all. Linking areas of opportunity and need, significantly reducing low employment rates and improving the supply of labour to businesses. Providing the right infrastructure for both businesses and people …. • Creating balanced housing markets across the North West that support economic growth, strengthen inclusion and ensure that everyone has access to appropriate, well-designed high quality, affordable housing in mixed, sustainable communities. • Delivering a high quality, reliable and efficient infrastructure, transport and digital networks to contribute to sustainable development and ensuring that the region is better connected, locally and internationally. • Ensuring high quality, efficient and responsive public services.

20. Theory of change – logic chains RS2010 Part 2 RS2010 Part 1 Strategic Priorities and Strategy Issues, challenges, opportunities, assets Outcomes and Values Principles and Issues

21. Practical example – Economic Intelligence • Developed economic intelligence products • Regional Economic Forecasting Panel • Consolidated GVA, employment, skills and productivity forecasts • Transfer of forecasts across other areas – environment, social • Looking for activities with the greatest impact • Use by the Joint Economic Commission • NAO outcome

22. Research programme evaluation • Peer Review • “the range, depth and sophistication of the evidence base is stronger than at any point since the main Northwest regional agencies were created” • “The NWRIU continues to play a strong strategic role (both within the agency and externally) in leading and shaping the regional research programme, using collaboration with other local, regional and national stakeholders to grow the Northwest’s evidence base and secure economies of scale” • National Audit Office • Monthly economic monitoring • Embedding into other strategies

23. Benefits • Expertise not normally available • Lower cost • Shared research • Providing access • Networking • Co-ordinating activity – previously agencies doing their own thing • Influencing policy • Communicating broader development needs • Securing efficiencies in data collection and analysis

24. Learning points • Openness and transparency • Clear objectives and purpose • Manage expectations • Manage your stakeholders • Maintain independence • Provide expert advice and guidance Risk for the future • Lack of useful local level data

25. Thank you