Russell Group universities also recognise that learning doesn’t stop when people enter the world of work for the first time. Lifelong learning will have a huge role to play in helping people who want to explore opportunities in different areas of employment, and as new industries like AI emerge and grow. We also know that different parts of the UK will have different skills needs and the kind of support universities provide needs to reflect this.
Our universities already work closely with schools, further education (FE) colleges, businesses, local governments and community groups within their regions to identify skills gaps and ensure their education offer meets what the local labour market needs.
For example, Durham University recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with four County Durham FE colleges to create a more joined-up approach to education, skills and training, which will drive economic growth in the North East by expanding apprenticeship and employment opportunities and improving post-16 progression routes.
Focusing on local skills needs in key regional industries is helping our universities develop new training and education programmes that help people access highly skilled, well-paid jobs and support wider economic growth. This will help ensure graduates – as well as people who choose to reskill later in their careers – remain competitive in the workforce and employers can access the talent they need to thrive.
The University of Liverpool’s Careers and Employability service runs multiple programmes that involve and support local businesses in filling skills gaps and unlocking regional graduate talent. In LCR+, local SME employers are supported in graduate recruitment and are guaranteed that employed graduates are provided with essential soft-skill development.