Bristol Business Guide

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Health, Social Care &
Life Sciences
The sector provides employment for
around 79,500 within the West of
England (of which 40,200 are in the
city of Bristol). It is one of the
largest employment sectors in Bristol
and is growing.
The sector is integral to helping
maintain a healthy city, from both a
resident and workforce perspective.
In recent years, the change in the
number of people living in the UK,
their age profile, lifestyles and health
and social care needs has been
significant and this is expected to
continue. This is having a big impact
on the way local authorities plan and
deliver social services for the people
that need them. Both home care and
care home provision is increasingly
tendered out to the private sector and
there will be increasing opportunities
for businesses and organisations.
There are three NHS Trusts which
serve the Bristol area - Avon and
Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership,
North Bristol and University Hospitals
Bristol. Bristol has benefitted from
a new hospital in South Bristol, the
redevelopment of Southmead Hospital
and improvements to the University
Hospitals Bristol buildings in central
Bristol, including the Bristol
Haematology & Oncology Centre,
the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
and Bristol Royal Infirmary.
There are vital linkages between the
city’s Health and Education sectors on
a wide range of projects and research
initiatives. ‘Bristol Health Partners’ is
a collaboration linking the NHS Trusts,
the universities and Bristol City
Council. The University of Bristol hosts
the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for
Health Research and the University
of the West of England UWE hosts the
Bristol Robotics Laboratory, the largest
academic centre for multi-disciplinary
robotics research in the UK. It includes
the Centre for Innovative Medical
Technology, a collaboration with
clinicians and training specialists
from the Bristol health community.
The Life Sciences sector is represented
by a growing number of businesses.
Medilink South West is the region’s
life science industry network,
providing organisations with specialist
advice, market intelligence events,
and opportunities. They aim to reduce
the barriers to commercial growth in
order to boost the South West’s
economic output from life sciences.
See
1
Education
The sector provides employment
for around 54,300 people within
the West of England (of which
23,700 are in the city of Bristol).
Bristol has a more highly skilled
workforce than the UK or other Core
Cities and has maintained this
competitive advantage for ten years.
2013 data shows Bristol with 42.8% of
its working age population qualified to
degree level or above, against the UK
rates of 35% and a Core City average
of 34.1%.
The West of England is home to four
universities (University of Bristol,
University of the West of England,
University of Bath and Bath Spa
University), and a network of further
and higher education colleges.
A rising population in Bristol has seen
a significant increase in demand for
primary school places in the city over
the last few years. During 2014 alone,
nearly 2,000 primary school places
were created. This included a brand
new school for St Anne’s Primary
School in Brislington and expansions
to a number of other primary schools
across the city. Works due for
completion include two brand new
two form entry primary schools:
Redfield Educate Together Academy
and Oasis Academy Marksbury Road.
This is part of a programme of work,
detailed in the Schools Organisation
Strategy, which will have seen an
impressive 12,000 permanent primary
school places created in Bristol
between 2011 and the end of 2016.
This has been achieved through the
delivery of around 50 projects – a
number of which are still active – at
a cost of approximately £203m.
The Integrated Education and Capital
Strategy 2015-2019 sets out plans to
provide more school places in Bristol
across all education sectors over the
next few years.
The strategy is part of the Bristol
Learning City vision to engage city
leaders and a wide range of stakeholders
to develop an integrated approach and
capital plan across all education sectors
and partners in the city.
The range and number of
apprenticeships is growing fast,
with many businesses and people
recognising the value of gaining a
qualification and practical experience
at the same time. Local colleges and
private sector providers are supporting
their future development.
The City of Bristol College offers a
wide range of academic and vocational
qualifications, with more than 1,000
courses available. They have a number
of courses with facilities that are
unique to the area including
Aeronautical Engineering with its own
air craft hanger and Forensic Science
with crime scene rooms and fully
equipped laboratories.
South Gloucestershire & Stroud
College have a wide curriculum and
flexible offering. Their ‘Outstanding’
sports facilities and curriculum is
amongst the best in the country,
supported by specialisms in Art,
Business, Construction, Beauty,
Travel, Public Services, Animal Care
and A’ levels.