Report of the Director of Inclusive Economy attached

This report provides an overview of the student body studying at the higher education institutions (HEIs) in Manchester with a specific focus on the two largest institutions: The University of Manchester (UoM) and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).  It also provides an overview of the numbers of graduates remaining in the city post-graduation and includes the emerging picture of the impact of COVID-19 on the student body, graduate retention and attraction and the local response to support the gradate labour market.

(Cllr Moore in the Chair)

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Inclusive Economy that provided an overview of the student body studying at the higher education institutions (HEIs) in Manchester with a specific focus on the two largest institutions, the University of Manchester (UoM) and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

Key points and themes in the report included:

·                Providing an overview of Manchester’s higher education provision;

·                Data and narrative in relation to higher education admissions and attainment;

·                Information on the UoM widening participation initiative;

·                Degree apprenticeships;

·                An overview of the numbers of graduates remaining in the city post-graduation;

·                The emerging picture of the impact of COVID-19 on the student body;

·                Graduate retention and attraction;

·                Manchester’s Graduate Labour Market and the local response to support the graduate labour market;

·                Our Manchester Graduate Scheme;

·                Case studies; and

·                Next steps.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·                Welcoming the report and the importance of promoting Manchester as a great city to live, work and socialise;

·                Discussion of the data in the report regarding ‘brain drain’ and advising that wider consideration needed to be given to account for those residents returning to the city who had studied elsewhere and those graduates from other areas moving to Manchester, adding that this data had previously been available;

·                What analysis of Teacher Assessed Grades had been undertaken to understand the impact on attainment levels; and

·                Was data on the outcomes of the First Generation Scholarship Programme and the work to improve diversity and inclusion available.

The Director of Social Responsibility, the UoM stated that initial analysis of the Teacher Assessed Grades indicated that there had been an increase in those children from independent schools achieving A star grades at A Level. He advised this was concerning and could undermine the work to widen participation. He stated this would continue to be monitored.

The Director of Social Responsibility, the UoM stated that data on graduate outcomes was recorded and could be shared with the Committee. The Chair recommended that the University Equality and Diversity Plan be circulated for information following the meeting.

In response to the comment from the Member regarding the data available and ‘brain drain’ the Director of Inclusive Economy advised she would look into this further, noting the comments from the Member.

The Executive Member for Housing and Employment welcomed the report and made particular reference to the Our Manchester Graduate Scheme, a pilot collaborative initiative between the Council and MMU aiming to connect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to recent graduates. The businesses would be supported with funding, candidate attraction, recruitment, and selection carried out by MMU. The business would offer a 12-month graduate opportunity with the potential for the role to become permanent. Upon starting in the role, the graduate would have access to regular CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training provided by the council’s HR department. The scheme launched in August 2021 and is currently at the stage of recruiting businesses with nine SMEs interested to date.

Decision

To recommend that the University Equality and Diversity Plan is circulated to Members of the Committee.

[Councillor Priest declared a personal pecuniary and prejudicial interest in this item of business and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of this item.]