Universities across the UK including the University of Essex and employers have come together behind a major new plan to help get more graduates into good jobs, and to provide lifelong careers support.
Published by Universities UK (UUK) with support from Pearson and the British Chambers of Commerce, the Future Jobs Roadmap sets out a series of steps for universities, business and government to take to better support graduates into work.
Recommendations include universal access to work-based learning for all undergraduates, and regionally based graduate schemes for SMEs
The University of Essex is backing the Future Jobs Roadmap by taking its support for students and engagement with employers even further. Essex already embeds entrepreneurship within its courses, uses its world-leading reputation for AI within courses and provides an award-winning volunteering programme to build-up student experience for the workplace. This work will now be taken even further in partnership with businesses.
The Roadmap has been developed based on conversations with around 200 employers, business groups and universities and responds to the growing challenge facing young people and employers alike.
The plan comes at a pivotal moment for the economy. As the government develops its ten-year plan and industrial strategy, universities are stepping forward with a practical offer to help deliver the high-level skills, graduate talent and growth the country needs. It also responds to the wider pressures facing young people entering the Labour market.
The Future Jobs Roadmap will help graduates of every background, and the employers who need them, to succeed.
Key commitments in the Eastern region include:
- An ambition for all undergraduates to have access to meaningful work-based learning by 2035, with a milestone of reaching 50% by 2030.
- Ensuring AI tools are accessible to every undergraduate student and every course has a lecturer who is an ‘AI trailblazer’ so that graduates have the skills to be AI pioneers in the workplace.
- Providing graduates with universal lifetime entitlement to careers support both while they are at university and throughout their career to ensure they are set up for success and can navigate labour market change.
- Expanding employer co-designed learning and modular provision.
- Supporting regional graduate schemes to connect graduates with SMEs.
- Making it easier for employers to engage with universities.
The Roadmap also calls on government to support youth employment through targeted measures to encourage recruitment and strengthen pathways into work.
University of Essex Vice-Chancellor Professor Frances Bowen said: ““We are a pioneer in integrating future skills development, including AI and data analytics, into the education we deliver and in supporting Essex businesses to unlock its potential.
“We are looking forward to working with partners, particularly businesses in the region, to take our support for students and graduates even further.
“This approach will prepare our students for success and provide SMEs with access to the tech savvy workforce they need to drive future growth.”
Professor Malcolm Press, President of Universities UK and Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, said: "This Roadmap is the result of universities listening carefully to employers about the challenges they face and the skills they need, and responding with action.
"The message we heard was clear: graduates possess significant talent and potential and employers value them highly. But we need to do even more to help students gain workplace experience, develop professional confidence and prepare for a changing economy.
"Universities want to work even more closely with employers, students and government to strengthen opportunities for graduates and support economic growth.”
Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Giving firms better access to graduates with the right technical and practical skills is a crucial part of unlocking economic growth.
“The Future Jobs Roadmap is full of practical ideas that reflect what businesses are telling us they need, and could make a real difference for both employers and employees alike.
“By closer collaboration between businesses and universities we can get more students workplace ready. Chamber led Local Skills Improvement Plans across England can play a role in that stronger relationship."
