The Impact of WMREDI : Strengthening Local Labour Markets and Skill Development for Regional Growth

This blog discusses the importance of skills development and local labour market improvements for regional growth, focusing on initiatives in the West Midlands through the WMREDI program. It highlights research and policy efforts to tackle employment barriers, and skills gaps, and enhance workforce capabilities in areas such as digital skills, R&D, and youth employment. Building … Continue reading “The Impact of WMREDI : Strengthening Local Labour Markets and Skill Development for Regional Growth”

The Impact of WMREDI : Shaping Evidence-Based Policy and Business Cases

This blog highlights the work of the West Midlands Economic Development Institute (WMREDI) in developing evidence-based policy, business cases, and evaluation frameworks to support regional growth. It discusses WMREDI’s impact on building analytical capabilities, fostering resilience, and shaping local industrial strategies through innovative tools, research, and collaborations. In the dynamic landscape of regional policy development, … Continue reading “The Impact of WMREDI : Shaping Evidence-Based Policy and Business Cases”

The Impact of WMREDI: A Collaborative Approach to Regional Economic Development

This blog explores the impact of the West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute (WMREDI), looking at its role in creating collaboration between universities, businesses, and policymakers to drive regional economic growth. The West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute (WMREDI) was created in response to a need in the region for a more collaborative, evidence-based approach … Continue reading “The Impact of WMREDI: A Collaborative Approach to Regional Economic Development”

The WMREDI Story: Insights From Danielle Dale

In her new role as Executive Assistant for Professor Rebecca Riley, Danielle Dale blogs about attending the launch event of the WMREDI Story. I am really enjoying being an Executive Assistant for our Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor for Regional Engagement, Professor Rebecca Riley (Bec). Bec co-directs our City-REDI research institute. Recently, I attended the West … Continue reading “The WMREDI Story: Insights From Danielle Dale”

The Launch of the WMREDI Story

The WMREDI Story was launched on Thursday, 10 October, at The Exchange, University of Birmingham. The report provides an in-depth look at the West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute’s (WMREDI) successes, challenges, achievements, and impact. Find out more and download the WMREDI Story A brief history of WMREDI WMREDI was based at the University of … Continue reading “The Launch of the WMREDI Story”

Britain the ‘World’s Worst on Homelessness’ – What About the West Midlands?

The UK has the highest rates of homelessness in the developed world, with a significant increase over the past 14 years, particularly in the West Midlands. Alongside the physical, emotional and psychological impact it has on the individual, homelessness creates a substantial financial burden on local authorities, with Birmingham having the highest temporary accommodation expenses … Continue reading “Britain the ‘World’s Worst on Homelessness’ – What About the West Midlands?”

Meet Selina Soomal, City-REDI/WMREDI’s New Apprentice

I have recently started my role as an Apprentice Project Support Officer at City-REDI. My career pivot from eye care to project support was initiated by a project management industry-intensive programme. This gave me an insight into the essentials of project work, and the incentive to enter a new role, where I could obtain exposure … Continue reading “Meet Selina Soomal, City-REDI/WMREDI’s New Apprentice”

WMREDI Policy Briefing: Pride In Place

Pride in place is one of four overarching objectives in the Levelling Up White Paper as well as the least detailed of its twelve missions. This policy briefing by Rebecca Riley and Des McNulty explores this objective from the perspective of the role universities could play. The underlying argument of the pride in place mission … Continue reading “WMREDI Policy Briefing: Pride In Place”

Meet Donald Houston, City-REDI/WMREDI’s New Professor of Regional Economic Development

National data are wrong everywhere.  This is why a regional approach is essential to understand the economy.  More of this later. First to say is that I’m delighted to have joined City-REDI in April 2023 as a Professor of Regional Economic Development. My mission is to support and contribute to City-REDI’s rigorous and relevant research … Continue reading “Meet Donald Houston, City-REDI/WMREDI’s New Professor of Regional Economic Development”

WMREDI Policy Briefing: The Manufacturing Technology Centre

In this policy briefing, Robert Lynam, Dr Chloe Billing and Professor Simon Collinson look at the Manufacturing Technology Centre and its impact in the West Midlands. It outlines the findings from one of our WMREDI projects focused on examining regional innovation ecosystems and the relationships between universities, local firms, entrepreneurship, innovation, technology transfer, and knowledge … Continue reading “WMREDI Policy Briefing: The Manufacturing Technology Centre”