The University of Sussex is delighted to have supported Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication in its successful bid for Government funding to forge links with the business community.

A grant of £556,000 has been awarded jointly to Ravensbourne and the University to set up an employability skills unit, which will identify skills shortages in the creative industries locally and in London and develop learning packages to meet them.

The award is one of 50 to be announced by the Higher Education Funding Council For England (HEFCE) in the latest round of funding aimed at transferring "knowledge into business".

University Vice-Chancellor Alasdair Smith said: "We are delighted to be part of this award. It demonstrates the University's commitment to its partnership with Ravensbourne College and to strengthening links with the business community."

The latest grant, also to be spread over four years, will be used to look at employment in areas such as website design, digital TV production, telecommunications, advertising and art and design. Statistics produced by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) reveal there are more than 350 media companies in Sussex, mostly in Brighton, employing around 3,000 people and with a turnover of £300m.

Among the issues the new unit will address will be the principles of creativity, marketing and promotion, intellectual property rights, legal responsibilities of the self-employed and managing a small business.

The connection with Ravensbourne College in Kent goes back to 1995, with the establishment of an academic partnership agreement.

For further information please contact Jacqui Bealing or Alison Field, Press Office, University of Sussex, Tel. 01273 678888, Fax 01273 877456, email J.A.Bealing@sussex.ac.uk

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