Matching student skills to SME requirements : the university as facilitator

Procter, CT; Mullin, PA; Swain, LC

Abstract

This paper reports on the UNITE with Business project, funded by the European Union Regional Development Fund (ERDF) between 2010 and 2015, whose objective was to support Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in order to boost the regional economy. Through the project approximately 1800 SMEs were assisted, with 1200 of them reporting improved performance, products or processes, and 480 new jobs were created. Using primary research from the project, the paper discusses the types of support needed by the SMEs, particularly in the area of digital marketing, and both the benefits and problems experienced by the main stakeholders. The paper addresses the vital role of Universities in facilitating the transfer of knowledge between graduates and SMEs, particularly via internships.

Citation

Procter, C., Mullin, P., & Swain, L. (2015, November). Matching student skills to SME requirements : the university as facilitator. Presented at Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE), Glasgow

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE)
• Conference Location: Glasgow
• Start Date: Nov 10, 2015
• End Date: Nov 12, 2015
• Acceptance Date: Sep 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Nov 16, 2015
• Publisher URL: http://www.isbe.org.uk/isbe2015
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference; Projects : UNITE with Business