New research published by Universities UK (UUK) has highlighted the need for more people of all ages to attend university in order to counter a critical lack of skills. The report ‘ Solving Future Skills Challenges’ claims that more graduates would help the UK economy grow faster by increasing productivity, competitiveness, and innovation. The report is published as Bournemouth University (BU) prepares to welcome more applicants through the Clearing process this week.
BU is helping to produce many skilled graduates, offering diverse courses in a range of subjects with a real focus on creating skills that employers want. In fact the latest Government figures show that six months after graduating from an undergraduate course, 93% of BU students are in work or further study*. BU students also benefit from having the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of their course, further adding to the skills they learn during their degree.
BU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim McIntyre-Bhatty, said: “As we look towards a future where Britain continues to excel as a global player in many sectors, it is vital that we are educating and developing people with the talent and skills needed to compete in a truly global marketplace.
"All of the courses on offer at Bournemouth University do just that, embedding learning with industry experience, including the opportunity for all undergraduate students to undertake a placement during their course, in order to ensure that BU graduates are ready to move into their career of choice. The knowledge and skills BU graduates have are in demand with employers and the latest figures show that graduate earnings in 11 of 13 subject areas within the university are better than the median average in the first year after graduation**.
"This report from UUK shows that we will need more graduates to fulfil professional roles in a variety of sectors and that long-term investment in higher education is good for both individuals and the future growth of the UK.”
BU has a long established placement offering and the UUK report recommends more work experience opportunities should be offered and greater collaboration in the development of transferable skills should take place nationally. The BU placement offering was highlighted in a campaign called #MyPlacementStory featuring students across all four BU faculties on their placements. You can read the stories at: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/my-placement-story
We Are Base, a Bournemouth based technology company, employs several BU graduates and has previously employed students on placement. Matt Morgan, Operations Director at We Are Base, said: “As a BU graduate myself, I know first-hand the high quality of graduates that the university produces. Over the years Base has employed many BU graduates, all of whom have contributed to the growth of this company. The practical experience that students gain at BU is something that I really value, both as a former student and now as an employer.”
Head of Media Planning at the BBC and BU alumni, Richard Walker, undertook a placement as part of his degree and believes BU provides graduates with practical skills. Richard said: “What BU does is massively focus on vocations, on skills that get you jobs, through the courses they do.”
Richard Renaut, Chief Operating Officer of The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust commented on the UUK report: “Hospitals could not function without graduates. Obviously doctors have to have professional qualifications before they can practice and we also need nurses with degrees.
"We are lucky to have such a close relationship with our neighbour Bournemouth University and work with them and their student nurses for placements where they provide vital support during their training. We also need a vast range of other graduates to keep the hospital running, including graduates in IT, finance, law and management and we encourage our staff to continue with their professional development and lifelong learning through higher education courses.”
BU is already open for clearing applications. Our Clearing helpline number is 01202 966777 and you can find out more at: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/clearing
BU is looking forward to welcoming new students to Bournemouth through Clearing.
Solving Future Skills Challenges by Universities UK can be read in full online.
*Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in the Destinations for Leavers of Higher Education (DLHE) Survey 2017
**Department of Education in the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset