We must fight to keep young talent in Yorkshire - Melanie Parker

The class of 2020 from our region’s universities are facing tough times.
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They are leaving university with cancelled graduation ceremonies and a downturn in graduate vacancies and if they are still at university postponed internships and placement opportunities.

There is a sense of loss. Graduates are fearing for their future, many heartbroken about not being able to celebrate their achievements with their friends and families in what should be the most joyous of occasions.

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Yorkshire’s universities host in large numbers both home and international students. I fear for our students who will, in the main, have lost their part-time roles in hospitality and retail as well as those in the gig economy while social distancing measures are in place and all pubs and restaurants remain shut.

What impact is this going to have for the recruitment targets of international students and home students in the future? Universities could lose millions in cancelled enrolments.

The UK economy, when we do return to normal, could lose millions of pounds in revenue on accommodation and entertainment. Not to mention the adverse impact on the talent pool.

The movement of people between countries for education will be hit.

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In my opinion, we will desperately need graduate talent to help rebuild our economy once we get past the pandemic and those who can respond quickly will future proof their businesses and enjoy accelerated recovery.

In our cities we have been trying our best over the last decade to stop the brain drain. We don’t want to be losing our talent to other cities and countries. I fear the brain drain will become more pronounced. I feel we must do all we can to focus on retaining the talent we have and hire it.

We could face in the next five years a downturn in graduate talent if they choose to study in other countries rather than continue in the large numbers they have so far to study in the UK.

Given the uncharted territory we are in with coronavirus and an uncertain recovery of the job markets, companies are being forced to reduce their graduate recruitment programmes. The Institute of Student Employers (ISE) is reporting a 27 per cent reduction in graduate hires.

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However, having worked in graduate and early careers recruitment for over 25 years, I believe this is a moment to pause and re-think strategies.

Companies routinely spend a lot of money on graduate attraction and competition is tough for brands to get the top talent.

There is a competitive advantage if you can still continue with your recruitment drives. At worst you may want to consider reducing numbers in the face of the significant downturn we are facing.

However, I would not withdraw completely from the considered efforts already made. It will cost businesses more in the long term and damage their ability to recover from this in the short term.

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Whether your company hires hundreds of graduates or just one, suspending any efforts will have a detrimental effect in the long term. Graduates will expect some delay to the hiring process and a change in format with many companies using video interviewing and remote onboarding. But graduates are already digital natives and are noticeably comfortable using technology solutions to work remotely.

Businesses may well gain new hires who could make a difference immediately and for a lot of graduates money is not always the prime motivator, they hold other workplace and learning experiences above salary.

Graduates are adaptable, motivated and usually inexpensive. Continu

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