LJMU wins coveted Enterprising Britain Award 2016
Liverpool John Moores University has received praise for being the only university in the country, and the only organisation in the North, to win the Government’s annual Enterprising Britain Awards.
LJMU’s Enterprise Educators’ Academe has been awarded one of four national accolades, and particular recognition as best organisation in the UK for improving entrepreneurial and enterprise skills, by winning the ‘Building Enterprise Skills’ category.
Vice-Chancellor of LJMU, Professor Nigel Weatherill, said: “This is a great achievement for LJMU’s Enterprise Educators’ Academe. Despite being created just two years ago, the Academe has been successful in embedding enterprise throughout our curriculum so our students graduate with the skills that meet 21st century business demands.
“Being recognised by the Government as a key player in economic growth reflects our modern civic approach to investing in the future of Liverpool’s business community and its place in the Northern Powerhouse. Moreover, this award reflects the quality of the teaching we deliver here which makes us a standout university of choice.”
Since its inception in 2014, the Enterprise Educators’ Academe has trained and supported over 300 academic staff across all subject areas, ensuring ‘enterprise skills’ competencies are embedded across the LJMU curriculum. Enterprise skills are now embedded in more than 150 degree programme pathways, reaching more than 17,000 students. Due to the success of the model, it is now being rolled out to several other educational institutions within Liverpool.
LJMU’s Professor David Gibson conducted extensive research to identify the enterprise skills required to become an entrepreneur or innovator. He devised a model of eight competencies which include creativity, resilience, self-management, finance, negotiation skills, leadership and team work, personal branding, personal influence and strategic thinking. Professor Gibson then trained and mentored the University’s academic staff, as well as bringing in world-leading enterprise skills experts, to enable them to lecturers to embed skills in their degree programmes.
Professor Gibson commented: “This award is testament to the University’s excellent educators who have helped their students develop enterprise skills to make an impact regionally, nationally and internationally. LJMU is committed to making Liverpool one of the great entrepreneurial cities in the world and equipping our students with acumen to graduate job-ready and become the entrepreneurs of the future.”
The Academe is also one of two winners selected to represent the UK in a Europe-wide enterprise competition.
Small Business Minister, Margot James said: “We have 900,000 more small businesses than in 2010 and they have an important role to play in building an economy that works for all. It’s great to see the support available for business owners making a real difference and driving entrepreneurial spirit across the UK.
“These awards recognise the value of local support and show what can be achieved when people who know their community best make their own decisions. Congratulations to Liverpool John Moores University and all the winners.”
The other winners of this year’s Enterprising Britain Awards are Birmingham City Council, Borough of Broxbourne Council and Kent International Business, led by Kent County Council.