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NWTEC Context & Initiatives

The NWTEC alliance is an articulation of the role of its partners as anchors for growth within the North West City Region place-based leadership model, to drive a long-term and ambitious agenda for the region with global, national and regional reach and impact.

NWTEC initiatives have a clear focus on progressing the development of this unique region which is socially and economically the most connected cross-border region on this island.

North West Opportunities

NWTEC aims to further develop the profile of the North West as an attractive location to work, live, study, and invest; and support the development of sustainable new enterprises that have the potential to offer high-quality employment.

Targeted Progress

NWTEC in consultation with key stakeholders will set ambitious targets for 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years in the areas of:

  • Deepening NWTEC collaboration to offer a comprehensive and coherent regional tertiary education portfolio with clear study pathways and increased joint initiatives on access, programme provision, research development, innovation supports, and community engagement.
  • Reducing the percentage of early school leavers, growing student numbers with a particular focus on key skills areas, increasing the overall percentages with tertiary education qualifications, and attracting an increased number of international students.
  • Growing the percentage of the population aged 20-64 in employment and also working with the community sector to address economic inactivity.
  • Demonstrating real contributions to enterprise in the region via upskilling, reskilling, innovation supports, and joint research and development initiatives, where these programmes will be developed in partnership with regional enterprises and the development agencies.
  • Further developing the profile of the North West as an attractive location to work, live, study, and invest; and supporting the development of sustainable new enterprises that have the potential to offer high-quality employment
  • Establishing a research function that identifies all the infrastructure and supports required to overcome the historical disadvantage experienced and transform the North West into a high performing Smart Region.
  • Reflecting the place-based ethos of NWTEC, the research priorities will be informed by the Derry & Strabane City Deal and other regional priorities.
  • Advocating for the North West at a national and international level to ensure the region has the necessary support and infrastructure to ensure it can achieve its full potential in line with comparable high performing regions internationally.