BUILDING A FUTURE-READY WORKFORCE IN THE LIVERPOOL CITY REGION

Gillian O’Brien, Head of External Engagement & Opportunities, University of Liverpool

Making the leap from university to the workplace isn’t always straightforward - for graduates or the businesses that hire them. While technical knowledge and academic skills are well established, many employers report a gap in workplacereadiness: communication, confidence, time management and stakeholder engagement are often cited as areas where early-career hires need structured support.

At the University of Liverpool, we’re tackling this head-on through the Professional Grad Programme, a unique training and development offer created to support the graduate-to-professional transition. Designed in partnership with local employers, the programme focuses on equipping recent graduates working in SMEs across the Liverpool City Region, as well as those working within our own organisation, with the professional behaviours and confidence needed to thrive. It includes interactive sessions on collaboration, project management, workload planning, networking and leadership. Crucially, it features direct input from local businesses, with exclusive opportunities to share real insights into the expectations and realities of the workplace. For many SME’s, the programme offers a valuable route to support and retain new hires. For graduates, it provides a structured development experience that accelerates their impact, builds confidence, and helps them establish a professional peer network. What makes the programme unique is its focus on place. Many of the participants are local graduates, often from underrepresented backgrounds, who want to build their careers in the LCR. For financial, cultural, or personal reasons, they may not have the flexibility to relocate for national graduate schemes. By supporting their professional growth close to home, we’re helping employers connect with a loyal, skilled talent pool that is deeply invested in staying and contributing to the region.

Looking ahead, we’re currently exploring a collaboration with other Liverpool universities to launch an Early Career Professionals Conference to bring together graduates and businesses to share ideas, build networks, and strengthen the region’s early talent ecosystem, with the broader aim of addressing productivity challenges across the LCR.

As Higher Education institutions, we have a responsibility to bridge the gap between learning and the world of work. At the University of Liverpool, we’re committed to developing confident, work-ready graduates equipped with the skills that local businesses consistently tell us they needright here in the Liverpool City Region.

To find out how you can support a potential conference or benefit from sending one of your graduates on the Professional Grad Programme, contact Gillian O’Brien, Head of External Engagement & Opportunities gillian.obrien@liverpool.ac.uk

Degree Apprenticeships At Liverpool Hope University

For North West business leaders, “skills” are a constant priority. But how do our region’s universities – engines of talent development and research – view this critical area? Sue Cronin, Director for Apprenticeships at Liverpool Hope University, shares her thoughts on why understanding their perspective is key to forging impactful partnerships.

Liverpool Hope University is proud to be part of the rich and diverse sector of Higher Education that spans global research institutions to specialist regional universities. Each organisation plays a unique role in the skills ecosystem, but all share a fundamental commitment to develop individuals; preparing them for future career pathways that will ultimately contribute to regional and national prosperity.

Degree Apprenticeships provide a great case study of how Universities, working in close collaboration with employers, can fully leverage the power of partnership. Apprenticeships ensure individual employees as learners reach their potential and are able to use knowledge and research to develop and enhance their existing skill base. In doing so they inform and improve their working practices, with the additional bonus of gaining a recognised qualification without any student debt! From an employer point of view, apprenticeships not only enhance the skills of the existing workforce but also support the retention and development of talent and critically often increase the diversity of their workforce.

Liverpool Hope is now fully engaged with the apprenticeship agenda which aligns with the university mission to address inequalities and Liverpool Hope is currently working closely with employers to co- design bespoke programmes aligned to apprenticeship standards, that offer viable alternatives to traditional university education. These programmes will equip individual employees with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the workplace and ultimately positively impact their organisation performance. Universities have a lot to offer through apprenticeships and can bring additional value to organisations. Together, we can create new opportunities across the NW, so we are looking for employers to join us at Liverpool Hope University to address the skills agenda and to work together to shape, build and invest in a better future for employees and employers.

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