Collaboration is vital in keeping talented graduates in the region

Universities, local government and businesses working together is vital to keeping talented graduates in the region, according to a group of senior higher education, business and civic leaders. 

Key figures from Yorkshire universities, local councils, employers and organisations invested in graduate employment came together on Thursday 11 July to discuss the challenges facing graduate recruitment and how to create opportunities and develop solutions to enable graduates to access highly skilled roles and support the regional economy. 

The one-day conference, Overcoming employer challenges and championing graduates across Yorkshire, was led by Yorkshire Universities, a group of 12 higher education institutions aimed at championing the region locally, nationally and globally. 

During the conference Yorkshire Universities also revealed the latest version of its Inclusive Recruitment Guide, aimed at offering practical advice to employers to support them to recruit diverse graduates. The new guide offers additional advice on recruiting international graduates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Professor Karen Bryan OBE, Vice Chancellor of York St John University and Chair of Yorkshire Universities, said: “Yorkshire Universities is working proactively to support our region’s employers to access the thousands of talented individuals graduating from universities across Yorkshire each year. 

“We hope the refreshed guide will ensure that we can retain a wider pool of skilled graduates in the region who are key to supporting the future prosperity of our towns and cities.” 

During the conference, hosted at Sheffield Hallam University, expert panels discussed the challenges facing graduate recruitment and how to create opportunities and develop solutions together to enable graduates to access highly skilled roles and support the regional economy. 

Regional leaders discussed how universities and their partners were critical drivers of economic growth – securing inward investment as well as providing a skilled workforce and access to support and expertise to the region’s businesses, including graduate-led enterprises. 

Professor Liz Mossop, Vice Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Yorkshire is a diverse and vibrant region with huge potential. Forging a joined-up, collaborative approach to retaining the regions’ ready supply of highly skilled graduates is key to driving innovation and enterprise and absolutely critical to stimulate economic growth across our cities and towns.” 

Read more about how Yorkshire Universities is working with partners to support graduate success. 

Image: Professor Karen Bryan OBE and Professor Liz Mossop.