UoG graduates are powering Government’s industrial strategy

New data has revealed that graduates, including those from University of Gloucestershire, make up more than half the workforce in the South West and account for a significant proportion of the workforce in key growth sectors highlighted in the Government’s industrial strategy.

The analysis, which was conducted by Universities UK (UUK), shows the impact of graduates in the workforce across key growth sectors and the important role they play in driving regional and national growth alongside infrastructure and investment.

In the South West, graduates comprise 52 per cent of the workforce overall and in seven vital growth sectors graduates comprise at least 53 per cent of the workforce, notably Creative Industries (75%), Professional and Business Services (72%) and Digital and Technologies (65%). At a national level, these sectors are particularly dependent on high levels of graduate skills. 

They are among the sectors in which University of Gloucestershire is producing skilled graduates and connecting them with employers to deliver improved productivity and growth, with 95 per cent of its graduates in employment or further study 15 months after completing their course programmes.

The University, which runs a range of apprenticeship programmes alongside its undergraduate and postgraduate offer, is driving forward the Government’s industrial strategy through its connections with industry and investment in a range of new facilities.

These include a centre of excellence for cyber and digital and a creative hub in Cheltenham, and its City Campus development in Gloucester opening this year which has already generated a social value of £22.95 million for the local community, including job opportunities.

Dame Clare Marchant, DBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: “Universities UK’s analysis brings into sharp focus the importance of graduates in powering economic growth and prosperity in the South West and other regions across the country.

“We’re extremely proud of the wide range of careers that our graduates progress into when they complete their studies, from nursing to cyber security, TV production to teaching, and the significant contributions they make to society.

“Our priority is to provide students with an excellent learning experience that gives them the skills and knowledge they need for successful and rewarding careers, and that brings important wider social and economic benefits at regional and national levels.

“We’re also proud that apprentices make up around 10% of our university community because they are integral to UK PLC’s productivity and skills agenda going forward.” 

Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief executive of Universities UK, said: “Our analysis shows just how important graduates are to economic growth. Regions where graduates make up the majority of the workforce report the highest levels of productivity while those with lower proportions risk getting left behind.”