Background

The RSA began working with Southampton City Council in April 2021 to scope plans for a City of Learning that would draw upon the cities’ unique assets, location, and aspirations.

Southampton’s unparalleled strengths in the maritime sector, desire to harness digital skills to support residents and workers, and ambition to champion culture and creativity in their bid to be City of Culture 2025, allowed the city to shape a Cities of Learning around these key focus areas.

The framework supports the council’s future planning, in understanding where to direct training, funding and collaborative efforts between stakeholders to develop new ‘learning and work pathways.’ The result of our work is available below.


Working in partnership

Southampton City Council has taken this work forward in the city. A multi-disciplinary team within the Council has been trained by the RSA and Badge Nation, to continue to design and test digital badges in the city.

These badges will both capture and make visible existing learning and work provision and be created to support Southampton’s specific learning and skills needs.


Contact

Get in touch with Southampton City Council to discuss how you can support them in Southampton.


Learn about our other cities and regions

Cities of Learning location map of UK

Join our virtual Cities of Learning network

Our dedicated Cities of Learning Circle community is full of place-based learning influencers. Interested? Get involved and help us develop the Cities of Learning movement with other Fellows online.

Illustration of stylized buildings, some with floating sections, in white, teal, and orange. A flag with a geometric symbol waves atop one building. Small cube elements float around the structures, creating an abstract, modern cityscape.