Further Education: A Strategic Asset for West Midlands Business Growth
A blog from Suzie Branch-Haddow – Vice Principal of External Development at BMet and Chair of Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire
According to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds as West Midlands businesses set their sights on growth over the next six months, their priorities are clear:
- Investing in their teams through training (52%)
- Adopting new technologies like AI and automation (43%)
- Evolving their products and services (39%)
In an economy where running a business, particularly an SME is getting more challenging, the results from the August Lloyds Business Barometer makes for some positivity, with confidence across the West and East Midlands sitting above the national average. And my view is that to deliver on this confidence is where one of our region’s 2 sometimes, hidden strengths come in: Collaboration and the Further Education (FE) Sector.
FE institutions in the West Midlands are deeply connected to their communities. We understand Local labour market dynamics, regional growth sectors, The unique challenges facing SMEs and startups. This makes us not just educators—but strategic allies in building a resilient, future-ready economy.
Powering Workforce Investment
With over half of businesses prioritising team development, FE offer a ready-made and tailor-made solution. As training solutions experts we offer: Tailored training programmes co-designed with employers; apprenticeships and upskilling pathways that blend theory with hands-on experience and flexible delivery models to suit shift patterns and business needs
Whether it’s digital skills, leadership development, or sector-specific qualifications, FE equips teams with the tools to thrive – and that’s from entry level roles through to upskilling current workforces.
Bridging the Tech Transition
The rise of AI and automation isn’t just a tech challenge—it’s a people challenge. FE institutions help businesses: Demystify emerging technologies through short courses and workshops; Train staff to use new systems confidently and safely
And collaborate on Innovation Hubs – across the West Midlands our FE Colleges have secured InnovateUK funding to that bring together educators, technologists, and entrepreneurs and provide technology adaption support and training to SME’s – at no cost.
This makes FE a vital bridge between ambition and adoption.
Fuelling Product and Service Innovation
To evolve offerings, businesses need fresh thinking and agile talent. The regional FE Sector nurtures a community of diverse creative problem-solvers through project-based learning and Industry-informed students who understand market trends. Consider taking your new product develop thinking or challenge to FE and setting live briefs or work experience opportunities for students to support your product / service development and thinking.
FE also provides Collaboration Spaces – through our physical estates, assets, workshops , like Immersive Classrooms where we open our doors to support businesses prototype, test, and refine new ideas
From advanced manufacturing to the “everyday economy” FE is embedded in the sectors driving regional transformation.
Our Business is Your Business
The West Midlands is brimming with ambition. To unlock it, we all need partners who understand their goals and can deliver practical, scalable support. Further Education isn’t just part of the solution—it’s central to it. By working hand-in-hand with FE, companies can invest in people, embrace technology, and evolve with confidence. And here in the West Midlands we are building a way to simplify that partnership and collaboration and provide a “single shop window to make it easier for business to navigate working with FE through “Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire” where “Our Business is Your Business”