Keep talent local (From Daily Echo)

Daily Echo campaign to retain talented local graduates

2:00pm Thursday 17th May 2012 in Education By Jon Reeve, Education Reporter

There's plenty of talent among Southampton graduates

A DAILY Echo-backed drive to keep young talent in Southampton has been launched.

After the success of last year’s campaign – when local employers created £10m of new graduate jobs in the region – Southampton Solent University, the Daily Echo and local business groups are once again urging employers to focus on recruiting local graduates.

Seventy per cent of Southampton’s graduates currently move away from the city after finishing their studies.

As a result, local companies are unable to benefit from their knowledge, new skills and determination to succeed.

But a special conference, organised by Southampton Solent University on June 19, will demonstrate the positive impact graduate jobs can have on the local economy.

The Vision for 2020 event will feature speakers from education and business, and will call on local companies to create more graduate roles – and a more prosperous future for Southampton.

Southampton Solent’s Vice- Chancellor, Professor Van Gore said: “Southampton Solent University produces high-calibre graduates with the trained intellect and professional ‘know how’ to meet the needs of the modern British economy.

“High levels of graduate retention have also been shown to stimulate economic growth, so the timing of the Vision 2020 campaign could not be better for the regional labour market.

“Through the campaign, our aim is to link up with external partners to ensure that the talent and power of university graduates is put to work locally, helping to create jobs and competitive advantage for our business community in challenging times.”

The campaign will also highlight the work of Graduate Jobs South, a special recruitment service for graduates and employers, based at the university.

Thousands of local businesses already use the service, and organisers are hoping many more will get involved as a result of the campaign.

In the coming weeks, the Daily Echo will look at the difference graduates are already making in the Southampton region, and we’ll examine the opportunities – such as internships – available to local businesses who want to employ graduates.

We’ll also give you an exclusive first look at a new initiative from Southampton Solent University which will help young people across the south take the first step towards their perfect career.