Students who study and later work in the region they grew up in are often “marginalised” in government policy despite their role in driving local economic improvements, a report has said.
A new briefing from MillionPlus, which represents modern UK universities, highlights the economic benefits of “loyals” – a category of graduates who grow up, study and work in the same region.
According to the report, these individuals can reduce geographic skills inequalities and, as a result, help grow the economy of the areas in which they live.
In 2021-22, 38 per cent of graduates across England and 44 per cent across the UK were loyals.
“Despite this majority status, discussions around graduate mobility in recent years have often marginalised loyals,” the report says.
“This has been partly through implicitly placing particular value on students moving away from their home region to study and also by centring discussions of graduates’ mobility on the economic benefits of graduates moving to a new area to live and work.”
It continues: “The prioritisation of high tariff universities and their limited geographic spread has resulted in a systemic pressure for students to move away from their home region to study.”
Post-1992 universities are more likely to produce loyals than their older counterparts. According to the report, 48 per cent of graduates from modern universities in England are loyals compared?with 26 per cent from pre-92 universities.
The production of loyals also varies between regions: 58 per cent of all graduates across all institutions in the north east are loyals, compared?with 24 per cent in London.
This is, in part, because modern universities are more likely to accept students from low socio-economic status backgrounds, as well as those who have lower prior attainment or are ethnic minorities – groups that are all less likely to move to a new area after graduating.
By staying local, particularly when they are from regions outside London and the south east, MillionPlus argues these graduates help ensure a stronger pipeline of skills in their regional economy.?
As the Labour government?forges ahead with devolution?and local innovation, the report says loyals “could be key actors in making a reality of the government’s commitment to regional economic growth”.
It calls on the government to “recognise the value of loyals” and “place them at the heart of future policymaking around higher education, skills pipelines and regional economic growth”.
Policymakers should also “consider how increased devolution can support links between universities and local industries, with Mayoral Combined Authorities helping to broker stronger partnerships,” MillionPlus writes.
“This report shows what many local communities already know – that modern universities are anchors of opportunity and growth,” said Rachel Hewitt, chief executive of MillionPlus.
“By helping to ensure graduates put down roots where they were raised and educated, these institutions are not only transforming lives but also producing and harnessing the skills and the talent that regions need to thrive.
“If the government is serious about rebalancing the economy and spreading opportunity, then it must recognise the role of loyals and ensure they are at the heart of future skills and growth policy.”
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