how can labour market data influence an hourglass?

How can labour market data influence an Hourglass?

Dr Jamie Mackay | Business Development Manager for HEe: [email protected] | t: 07740 344750

mailto:[email protected]


Recap• Universities engaging with and

producing practical solutions to real world problems

Contributors to UK Economy

• £39.9bn (2.8% of GDP) in 2011 (Universities UK, 2015)

• Turn innovative ideas and research discoveries into new businesses

• Foster entrepreneurship and employability (on and off campus)

• Contributions felt locally, regionally and nationally

http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/policy-and-analysis/reports/Documents/2015/the-economic-role-of-uk-universities.pdf

Contributors to UK Economy

Making the (regional) difference

University Alliance:• High quality teaching, critical to creating the

world’s future leaders and problem solvers… preparing students for a career in industry and the professions

• >20,462 business links (incl. ~14,000 SMEs)• 21% of all turnover and 30% of all jobs from

UK graduate start-ups• Leaders in cities and regions.

Making the regional difference

• Providing skills and knowledge for employers

• Creating businesses and jobs• R&D activity to (e.g.) raise productivity• Attracting investment and talent to the

region - domestic and foreign• Support delivery of LEP strategic

priorities

Insights into regional economies - GB


2,736,892 76,440

11,519

Insights into regional economies – Yorkshire and

the Humber


the Humber

201,340 6,441

960


the Humber


the HumberIndustry description (4-digit) 2016 - 2019 ChangeHospital activities 5,971Activities auxiliary to financial services and insurance activities 3,484Activities of head offices 3,057Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 2,954Restaurants and mobile food service activities 2,773Construction of other civil engineering projects n.e.c. 2,021Social work activities without accommodation for the elderly and disabled 1,922Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles 1,891Other social work activities without accommodation n.e.c. 1,766Warehousing and storage 1,672


the HumberJob description (4-digit) Annual OpeningsCare workers and home carers 3,931Sales and retail assistants 3,881Cleaners and domestics 3,210Nurses 2,812Other administrative occupations n.e.c. 2,801Elementary storage occupations 2,454Kitchen and catering assistants 1,971Large goods vehicle drivers 1,691Nursing auxiliaries and assistants 1,675Primary and nursery education teaching professionals 1,647


the HumberJob description (Graduate-level, 4-digit) Annual OpeningsNurses 2,812Primary and nursery education teaching professionals 1,647Sales accounts and business development managers 1,642Secondary education teaching professionals 1,267Medical practitioners 1,215Production managers and directors in manufacturing 952Financial managers and directors 770Business and financial project management professionals 723Programmers and software development professionals 711Chartered and certified accountants 625

Graduates and diversity• More ‘WP’ cohorts attending university• HE in FE also important for ‘WP’ –

particularly in more rural communities• Access to HE enables ‘second chance’

for adult learners• More representative boardrooms?• Changes to recruitment processes and

procedures (e.g. Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC)

Graduates and Economic Growth

• 1% increase in graduates associated with 7.5% increase in average productivity three years later

• On average, each graduate contributes an extra £80k in tax and social contributions across their working life

Graduates and Economic Growth

• Higher employment rates• Lower unemployment rates• High-skilled employment• Higher earnings• More mobile in the labour market…

Introducing Generation Z

Ref.: www.visioncritical.com/generation-z-infographics

• Born 1995-2010 (I’m Gen. X!)• Cool experience > Cool product• DIY > Buy• Tech savvy, digital natives (digital

immigrants)• Innovative, online researchers wanting to

boost their people management skills and become entrepreneurs rather than employees

• If they don’t like it, they’ll move on!

http://www.visioncritical.com/generation-z-infographics

Hourglass Economy…

> 70%61 – 70%51 – 60%41 – 50%31 – 40%< 31%

* Reference: Ball, C. 2015. Loyals, Stayers, Returners and Incomers: Graduate migration patterns. HECSU.

31 – 40%21 – 30%11 – 20%0 – 10%

‘Loyal’ graduates from 2012/13 employed after six months in each region*

‘Returner’ graduates from 2012/13 employed after six months in each region*

http://www.hecsu.ac.uk/assets/assets/documents/hecsu_graduate_migration_report_january_15.pdf






Introducing Generation Z

References:The UK Graduate Careers Survey 2015, High Fliers ResearchAccenture Strategy 2015 UK University Graduate Employment Study, Accenture

• More career-focused than predecessors• Researching careers in first year• Undertaking work experience; including

placements and internships• Higher salary expectations - £41k by 5yrs

(although these are not always met!)• Feel underemployed by some businesses• Commonly looking to work in SMEs

http://www.highfliers.co.uk/

http://www.highfliers.co.uk/

https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insight-uk-university-graduation-research.aspx



Taking stock• Continue to engage real world

problems and produce practical problems

• Regionalism / Devolution agenda• Historically, universities perceived as

supply-driven producers of workforce talent

• But…

Taking stock• This traditional model is missing the

needs / demands of:– the labour market– the local / regional / national

economies– (the learners themselves)

• So, here’s a new vision:

A new vision(Ref. Andy Westwood)

Universities take on a larger role in balancing supply/demand components of education and the labour market:

Shaping and communicating your portfolio of courses

• Where are your students coming from?

• What are your students’ expectations?

• Where are your graduates going?• How does your curriculum portfolio

map to the needs of these regions?• What is the competition doing?

Employer-focused provision

Employer-focused provision • Addressing real world problem of

perpetual skills gaps• Help HEIs grow regional economies• Entry into labour force and transferability

of skills beyond - including overseas• Impact on productivity immediately

(rather than waiting 3-4 years)• Widening participation and social

mobility• Social capital in classroom + workplace

Employer-focused provisionCommunicating the value of work-based routes to key stakeholders:• Internal colleagues• Employers• Schools / Colleges• Prospective Apprentices• Parents / Carers

How can labour market data influence an Hourglass?

1. Universities as Economic Developers2. Higher level skills enable mobility3. Regional insights are key4. Balancing supply / demand components

of education and the labour market5. Labour market data can both inform

strategic direction and communicate valuable messages to prospective learners

Any questions?


