By 2035, it is estimated that 88% of new jobs will be at graduate level, with an additional 11 million graduates needed across the UK. All eight growth-driving sectors identified in the government’s Industrial Strategy green paper also heavily rely on graduate skills.

Russell Group universities are playing a significant role in educating the graduate talent needed for our future workforce, with more than 750,000 learners across a range of academic and vocational pathways each year.

Our members already work closely with schools, further education (FE) colleges, businesses, local governments and community groups within their region to identify skills gaps and ensure their education offer meets local labour market demands.

As both significant local employers and anchor institutions that support regional collaboration, our universities are ready to work together with Skills England, the Department for Education and counterparts in the devolved administrations to identify expected regional and national skills gaps.

Universities are well-placed to partner with others to build more coherent qualification pathways and ensure that higher education provision continues to support government’s opportunity mission, wider growth mission and industrial strategy aims. 

Read the full briefing paper for more details on how Russell Group universities are working creatively with a range of local partners to upskill communities across the UK and deliver the skills that employers need to boost the national economy.

Visit the HEPI blog to read more about how our universities are supporting the workforce of the future.