University of Greenwich: Bridging the gap
University of Greenwich University partners with former Education Secretary to close Opportunity Gap
The University of Greenwich has today unveiled a new action plan to increase access to higher education and career opportunities, in partnership with former Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Justine Greening.
The plan sets out a series of ambitions that Greenwich will work towards with the aim of ensuring that more people are able to progress in careers, unhindered by their background or lack of connections.
The University of Greenwich is one of a pioneering group of UK universities and businesses aiming to set a new and higher standard on boosting social mobility in Britain, with boardroom focus on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues.
The University of Greenwich was among the early signatories to the Social Mobility Pledge, cofounded by Justine Greening in 2018, after she left the Government, alongside UK entrepreneur David Harrison.
The Pledge asks businesses and universities to commit to levelling up Britain by partnering with local schools, offering apprenticeships and using open and fair recruitment practices.
The launch of Greenwich’s Opportunity Action Plan, is the culmination of months of work with the Social Mobility Pledge team, who identified The University of Greenwich as a trail blazer in social mobility.
Justine Greening said: “Achieving true social mobility in Britain and levelling up our country is a huge challenge but one that businesses and universities are rising to. They have a crucial role to play and can be an incredible force for good in spreading opportunities more evenly across communities and to people that have missed out for far too long.
“The Covid-19 crisis has also reset the relationship between universities and their students, who expect them to be much more active on social purpose. I am delighted that Greenwich is at the forefront of this environment, social and corporate governance agenda. Publishing this action plan today sends out a clear signal that the University of Greenwich is raising the standard of corporate ESG and I look forward to working closely with them in the important months ahead for our country.
“I hope many more universities will follow Greenwich’s lead and consider how they can go further, faster to make Britain a high skilled, high knowledge economy.“