- Recent data has revealed that graduates in Scotland account for 57% of the workforce
- Official government forecasts show that between 2025 and 2035 the UK economy will need 1.7 million more workers in occupations associated with graduate skills
- By 2035 the UK economy will require a workforce where 61% hold a higher education qualification compared to 52% in 2025 and 48% in 2020
New data has revealed that university graduates make up 57% of the workforce in Scotland and account for a significant proportion of the workforce in key growth sectors – 81% in the digital and technologies sector – highlighted in the government’s industrial strategy.
The analysis, which was conducted by Universities UK (UUK), shows the impact of graduates in the workforce across key growth sectors and the important role they play in driving national and regional growth.
In Scotland eight of those vital growth sectors have more than 50% graduates in their workforce.
- Life sciences (69%)
- Creative Industries (78% )
- Digital and Technologies ( 81%)
- Energy industry (53%)
- Professional and Business services (75% )
- Financial services (69%)
- Advance manufacturing (54%)
- Defence (66%)
Alongside infrastructure and investment, high level skills are key to driving productivity. Government research shows that increased HE participation has played a pivotal role in preventing a decline in productivity. The research revealed that people with postgraduate and first degrees made up 22% of the UK workforce between 2001 and 2007, increasing to almost 35% between 2014 and 2019.
Universities nationwide are actively working with major employers in their regions to provide the workforce needed in key sectors which in turn helps to boost regional and national growth. For example, The University of Derby launched the Nuclear Skills Academy with partners, Rolls Royce. The Academy aims to sustain nuclear capability within the UK’s submarines programme by creating a dedicated pipeline of talent at the start of their careers.
The University of Liverpool is another institution working to provide high skilled graduates for the workforce through their collaboration with leading UK-based sports nutrition company, Protein Works. Through their employability partnership with the company, they have ensured graduates have the skills and experience required to thrive in the sector.
Students from the University of Plymouth are benefitting from the partnership the institution has with Babcock, a leading provider of engineering services across a broad range of key sectors (marine, nuclear, land and aviation). Through an exclusive mentoring scheme with Babcock, students have the opportunity to gain relevant skills and experience from one-to-one mentoring sessions. The company also recently launched a skills academy which offers hands on training.
At a national level, the Creative sector (75%), Professional and business services (73%), Digital sector (72%) and life science sector (70%) are particularly dependent on high levels of graduate skills.
Despite there being a good spread of graduates in the workforce across all regions, UUK’s analysis highlights a stark gap between London & the Southeast where the proportion of graduates in the workforce is by far the highest, compared to the rest of the UK.
With the government seeking to drive growth across all parts of the UK the data indicates that many regions could continue to lag behind if action is not taken. The data shows that the current gap in high level skills between London and the rest of the UK amounts to 4 million graduates.
In fact, government data shows that by 2035 the UK economy will require a workforce where 61% hold a higher education qualification compared to 52% in 2025 and 48% in 2020, further emphasising why widening access to higher-level skills will be key to supporting the workforce for the future should be a priority for the government.
“Our analysis shows just how important graduates are to economic growth. Regions where graduates make up the majority of the workforce report the highest levels of productivity while those with lower proportions risk getting left behind” says Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief executive of Universities UK.
“High growth sectors identified as priorities by government are hungry for graduate talent. If we can’t supply this, then companies will be held back or may go elsewhere. We have to get serious about making sure the country has the high-level skills the economy needs to stay competitive. Those who say there are too many graduates are plain wrong.
“With universities in every part of the country, from Cornwall to the Highlands and Islands, a sustainably funded university sector can continue to widen access to these higher-level skills and support the workforce for our future economy.”
Information about Universities UK and their work can be explored at universitiesuk.ac.uk
For further information please contact press@gsa.ac.uk
Notes For Editors
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent university-level institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines. Our studio-based, specialist, practice-led teaching, learning and research draw talented individuals with a shared passion for visual culture and creative production from all over the world.
Originally founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, the School’s history can be traced back to 1753 and the establishment of the Foulis Academy delivering a European-style art education. Today, the GSA is an international community of over 3500 students and staff and 22,000 alumni across architecture, design, fine art and innovation and technology in our campuses in Glasgow and Altyre (in the Scottish Highlands).
