Between 1995 and 2005, for every job created in other parts of the UK economy, 12 were created in knowledge intensive industries. The UK is now the world leader in trade in knowledge services.
But what are the key drivers of this growth and how does the West Midlands fare? These questions are addressed in our report The West Midlands Knowledge Economy (pdf, 411kb) published in August 2009.
The report is the result of a State of the Region thematic dialogue which took place between September 2008 and April 2009.
The dialogue involved a wide range of regional partners, including both policy-makers and researchers, with an interest in the knowledge economy.
This sector of the economy includes high and medium technology manufacturing, as well as a range of services such as ICT, business and professional services, cultural services, education and healthcare.
The report identifies that knowledge intensive organisations and knowledge workers are attracted to places with the right mix of skilled workers, a range of knowledge assets (such as universities, healthcare institutions, research and science parks) and an attractive environment with good quality of life.
The report looks at some of the challenges facing the region in providing the right conditions. It covers issues including:
- Attracting high value added international businesses
- Stimulating the demand for higher level skills
- Strengthening the region's offer to knowledge intensive businesses and knowledge workers
- Widening participation in higher education
- Increasing the uptake of leadership and management development by businesses
- Tracking progress and impact
Keep up-to-date
You can keep up-to-date on developments for all State of the Region dialogues via: