Vision for 2020
Friday 1 July 2011
Solent University’s campaign to create £10m worth of graduate jobs has been a phenomenal success, with more than £11.6m – the equivalent of 1,041 individual posts – being pledged by local businesses.
The campaign - backed by the Daily Echo and local business leaders - culminated in the Vision for 2020 symposium, held at the University to thank local businesses for their support in reaching the £10m target, and to hear business leaders’ views on the future development of the city’s economy.
Business, education and council leaders pledged to work together in a bid to improve the employment prospects of the city’s graduates, while boosting the local economy.
They discussed ways of co-operating to encourage entrepreneurs and industry in the city and the surrounding region; increasing the proportion of educated young people to improve performance of local companies.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Van Gore said: “Given the context in which we are all moving, which is very challenging and uncertain, it seemed like the right time to do something that involved some stretch and risk. Thanks to the support from local business leaders and employers, the Vision for 2020 campaign has come off.”
Stewart Dunn, Managing Director of The Daily Echo’s parent company, Newsquest, led a question and answer session.
He said: “We were delighted to support the Vision for 2020 campaign, which surpassed its target. It was a fine example of what can be achieved when Hampshire businesses and our education institutions work together to improve the future of our young people.”
Southampton City Council Chief Executive Alistair Neill said Solent University was vital for the growth of the city and the council was fully behind its drive for graduate retention in Southampton. He was especially keen to back the University’s entrepreneurs. “As city leaders, we should encourage these young people to take their future into their own hands by building their own businesses,” he said.
A lively discussion concluded the Vision for 2020 symposium which had included rousing talks from BBC South Current affairs Editor, Jane French; Hampshire Economic Partnership Chief Executive, Paul Kinvig; Nick Dixon, Marketing Director at Skandia; and GTS Ventures Chief Executive and Solent University Chair of the Board of Governors, Grahame Sewell.
Graduate Jobs South (GJS) www.graduatejobssouth.co.uk| improves graduate retention in the city through employment in local businesses. It gives employers cost-effective and high quality help in recruitment from large pool of graduates in specialist areas.
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