Data Analytics Skills Escalator Dr Andrew Dean
Impact lab / Entrepreneurship Business School / Science Park Data analytics skills escalator - Content Research Innovation Networks Master classes Employer / Innovation led FE and HE level CPD Student Employability Graduate Retention Internships Institute for Data Science MSc(i) Data Science Modular CPD offer CEMPS / Q-Step Modules for undergraduates Degree Apprenticeships in Data Analytics University level FE Centre for Excellence in digital / data science. Institute of Technology? Level 4 Digital in FE HNC/HND and Higher Apprenticeships Level 3 Digital in FE Full time and Apprenticeships Level 2 Digital in FE Full time and Apprenticeships FE and Skills Improving digital skills in schools (CPD for staff) Curriculum enrichment / Business engagement / improved IAG Schools
Strategic context and good timing
SIMOVET enabled us to 1. Engage with policymakers and stakeholders (including VET providers) to identify where the labour market weaknesses were 2. Carry out labour market analysis of the region/sub-region 3. Look for good practices in the UK and compare them to elsewhere to explore solutions and approaches 4. Trial and evaluate the new approach 5. Provide Careers Guidance materials 6. Run a Final Conference to launch the skills escalator and other aspects of what is now called Innovation Exeter SIMOVET Is a Network Project
The potential of Big Data As computer processing and data storage becomes increasingly sophisticated and inexpensive, organisations of all kinds are embedding the use of data in their daily operations. Corporate capacity to understand and use data has become central to competitive advantage to the extent that the UK Tech Partnership recently termed big data the new oil that will fuel our economy in the coming decades.
The potential of Big Data According to a study by e-skills UK, the output and productivity of firms that adopt data-driven decision making is 5% to 6% higher than would be expected from their other investments in information technology. It has also been predicted that by 2017 big data will contribute 216 billion to the UK economy and generate 58,000 new specialist jobs. Many geographies are thinking about how they can exploit Big Data as a source of competitive advantage or Smart Specialisation.
Environmental Big Data To differentiate itself, Exeter is seeking to become a national centre of excellence for Environmental Data Analytics why?
Why environmental Big Data? The weather affects a huge varieties of natural phenomenon and human behaviours: the amount of energy and water we consume how we travel what we buy our health, to name a few. It impacts on the natural environment and on machine efficiency. Combining weather / climate data with other datasets can help us to understand and predict transport use, consumer behaviour, insurance risk and countless other issues. The ability to do this promises huge gains both in relation to private sector productivity and profitability and to the efficiency of public services.
Why Exeter? The UK s Meteorological Office is in Exeter It has just been awarded 100m for Europe s fastest weather / climate related supercomputer This will be housed on the new Exeter Science Park in a building with a collaboration space where enterprises to exploit the data
Why Exeter? A small city of 120,000 people with a large rural hinterland. Apart from the Met Office, Exeter is host to: An Outstanding VET College The University of Exeter Ranked in the top 10 UK universities and top 100 globally, investing heavily in environmental and data science Some dynamic SMEs Black SWAN, Sparx / Andromeda, Blur, Crowd Cube et al Supportive local government that recognises the role that environmental data analytics can play in smart specialisation and supporting local growth. Exeter Futures
Strategic Background The University of Exeter and the Met Office have a long-standing strategic partnership, and are working together to establish a Global Environmental Futures Campus on the new Exeter Science Park. Sitting alongside the Met Office s proposed new supercomputer; this campus will act as a nucleus for world-leading business innovation and impact in the environmental sector, attracting specialist units from larger companies as well as high-growth SMEs. This will play into the combined world-leading expertise of the University of Exeter and the Met Office in the areas of climate change, environmental science and statistics. HotSW LEP Smart Specialisation Approach
Skills and VET Issues
Skills shortages According to e-skills UK, demand for staff with skills in big data analytics is rising at an almost exponential rate: unfilled vacancies rose from less than 400 vacancies in the third quarter of 2007 to almost 4,000 in the third quarter of 2012 (or by 972%). As a result of this growth, four in five data-intensive businesses are now reported as struggling to find the skills they need. Recruitment difficulties are increasingly reflected in the salaries of those who work with big data. In 2013, these averaged 51,000; 30% above the average for all UK managerial / professional salaries and 80% above the average salary for all UK workers. More recent analysis suggests that the median salary for data scientists has risen to 56,400.
Demand - Exeter is growing rapidly Workplace based employment, % growth, 2004-2015 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% Exeter UK Poly. (Exeter) 15% 10% 5% 0% 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Source: APS / ONS
Innovative Solution A Data Analytics Skills Escalator The benefits of rapid employment growth in knowledge intensive occupations & industries is not shared among all people. Commuter salaries from neighbouring countryside are higher than those of Exeter s residents. Like many other urban areas, Exeter has pockets of deprivation and unemployment. Ensuring that Exeter residents can benefit from growth is an important part of the escalator concept.
Building a Data Analytics Skills Escalator 1. Raising young peoples awareness, interest and attainment in data analytics study and careers Achievement and enjoyment in mathematics is low in the UK The ability to understand and work with statistics is essential to employability and informed citizenship / democracy, yet statistics has not traditionally been seen as mathematics. Erasmus+ Project submitted to undertake curriculum enrichment projects, bringing children from different countries and different ages together to create their own projects examining the impacts of weather on issues that interest them. Source: APS / ONS
Building a Data Analytics Skills Escalator 2. Establishing a new Met Office Academy There is currently no Further Education Curriculum at Level 3 in Data Analytics Exeter College & the Met Office are planning to set up a Met Office Academy, creating a new curriculum, making use of Met Office data in practical course work, with tutors from industry etc. Curriculum development will be ESF funded. Intake of c 20 students per annum. Guaranteed interview with Met Office, which expects to employ at least 5 students a year. Placements with other SMEs as well Source: APS / ONS
Building a Data Analytics Skills Escalator 3. Creating an Apprenticeship Pathway The University of Exeter is the top ranked UK University to be offering a new Degree Apprenticeship in Digital & Technology Solutions. This includes a Professional Pathway Data Analyst Exeter is working with the College to align our curriculum with that of the Met Office Academy, to ensure that students progressing from the Academy at Level 4 / 5 can continue to Level 6 (full Degree) at the University. Source: APS / ONS
Building a Data Analytics Skills Escalator 4. Establishing a Exeter Institute for Data Science The University of Exeter is setting up a new Institute for Data Science. This will enhance the University s research power in this area and enrich teaching in mathematics and computing. It will provide: a new MSci in Data Science, with industrial placements A modular continuing professional development offer for industry Modules will include: Data visualisation, Advanced Statistical Modelling; Text Mining; Machine Learning; Mobile & Ubiquitous computing etc. Module development is ESF funded.
Building a Data Analytics Skills Escalator 5. Graduate Retention (ESF funded) The University draws large numbers of talented & skilled young people to Exeter. Yet, the vast majority leave after graduating. We are developing a Professional Pathway Data Analytics providing work-placements and internships for students (in the holiday) and graduates (after they leave). They are employed by the University as temporary staff. The University sets up projects and recovers the student s salary from enterprises that take on the young people. This makes employing the student / graduate simpler.
Summary of Escalator objectives Raising young peoples awareness, interest and attainment in data analytics study and careers Establishing an Academy / Institute for Data Analytics Developing an apprenticeship pathway Setting up an Exeter Institute for Data Science Making the most of Graduates skills Raising business awareness of the value of data & capacity to exploit it Providing high-end analytical talent and support to business Source: APS / ONS
Impact lab / Entrepreneurship Business School / Science Park Data analytics skills escalator - Content Research Innovation Networks Master classes Employer / Innovation led FE and HE level CPD Student Employability Graduate Retention Internships Institute for Data Science MSc(i) Data Science Modular CPD offer CEMPS / Q-Step Modules for undergraduates Degree Apprenticeships in Data Analytics University level FE Centre for Excellence in digital / data science. Institute of Technology? Level 4 Digital in FE HNC/HND and Higher Apprenticeships Level 3 Digital in FE Full time and Apprenticeships Level 2 Digital in FE Full time and Apprenticeships FE and Skills Improving digital skills in schools (CPD for staff) Curriculum enrichment / Business engagement / improved IAG Schools