Keeping graduate talent in Leeds

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, less than 50% of Yorkshire university graduates stay in the region. This is the case in several other regions too. Leeds is a vibrant city with one of the most diverse economies of all the UK's major employment centres. Organisations of all sizes are well represented in the area, from regional offices of multinational organisations, to SMEs, business start-ups and social enterprises.

In Leeds Day, held today (Wednesday 1 March), linked around 70 students from Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University with the city’s top employers, and setting them a challenge: describe one low cost action that can be put in place to attract and retain talent and help raise the profile of Leeds as a city of opportunity.

The day started with a breakfast meeting at Opera North where students were welcomed by University of Leeds’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Education), Professor Tom Ward, and Matt Wilton, Head of Employment, Access and Growth, Leeds City Council. The students then received a briefing from business leaders before meeting their teams and business mentors.

Speaking before the event, Leeds Beckett second year Business Management student, Abigael Bolingo, said: “I love Leeds and I am passionate about this city. I want to stay, live and work here when I graduate.

“In the future I want to be a business leader and contribute and make a difference and an impact on the business community here in this city. I see Leeds developing and I want be a part of that.”

After visiting employer offices throughout the day, where they met a range of employees and tour offices, the students regrouped at PwC to give their presentations.

Third year Sports Development undergraduate, David Ferris said he hoped the event would bring him employment opportunities.

Robert Partridge, Director of Student Opportunity at the University of Leeds, said: “In Leeds Day is an opportunity for students to enhance their presentation and networking skills, meet some fantastic employers and get a better understanding of the tremendous career opportunities on their doorstep.We also asked them to think about how we can make Leeds an even better place to live and work in the future.”

Priscilla Preston, Director of Services for Students at Leeds Beckett University, said: “Leeds is a vibrant city with a strong economy, brimming full of opportunities for our students and graduates. This event offers students an opportunity to explore what the city can offer and the chance to network with some of the region’s biggest employers.  Our graduate talent here in Leeds is one of the things that not only makes the city a great place to live and work but also enables our local and regional economy to flourish.”

Professor Ray Lloyd, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, said: “We’re delighted to partner with the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University to offer our students the opportunity to visit some of the city’s biggest employers, discuss ways to retain graduates in Leeds and discover what makes our city one of the fastest growing and most popular cities for business in the UK.”

Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive, Universities UK, said: “In Leeds Day addresses a key concern that many local employers have, and that’s the ability to ensure talented graduates stay in the area once they leave university and contribute to the area where they’ve lived for the past few years.

“Universities want to work with local employers to ensure that what they deliver on campus meets the needs of the local area. This initiative is a great example of the sort of activities the government should be supporting in its Industrial Strategy.

“The fact that businesses in Leeds have come together to work with universities on this project demonstrates the importance placed on graduates in contributing to innovation, creativity and prosperity for the local area.”

The idea for the day grew out of the Leeds to New York Student Leadership Programme run by the University of Leeds.