Supporting graduates in a Covid-19 economy

The impact of Covid-19 will have very significant economic and workforce implications that will be felt for many years to come.
While at present the true extent of the economic fallout cannot be gauged, all the indicators appear to suggest that the UK is going to face a severe and deep recession accompanied by sharp rise in unemployment. This presents unique challenges for those students graduating in 2020 – but also for graduates who finished their courses in recent years and who are progressing their early careers.

As such, it is vital that policymakers consider what more can be done to support graduates during this challenging time and ensure they are well placed to help the UK recover and rebuild following Covid-19.

Read the full set of proposals. 



Universities have been working hard to put in place all possible measures to help support students and recent graduates. Within the space of a couple of weeks, university careers services moved their entire programme of activities and events online, sparking new and innovative ways of working with employers, students and graduates.

Examples of what universities have been doing in response can be found in this collection of case studies (PDF), and can also be downloaded for use on social media (JPEG and GIF).

News

UUK response to prime minister’s speech on adult learning and skills

29 September 2020
Commenting on the Prime Minister's speech on adult learning and skills, Professor Julia Buckingham, the President of Universities UK and Vice-Chancellor of Brunel University London, said it could benefit millions of adults

UUK response to updated DfE guidance for universities

10 September 2020
Responding to updated government guidance for universities ahead of students starting the new term, Alistair Jarvis, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said:

Blog

The grades u-turn caused a ripple effect throughout education – it could be catastrophic for unis

25 August 2020
From over-stretched finances to lack of space and facilities, universities are facing a perfect storm of problems.
Laptop, phone and tablet, at home studying

Covid-19 silver linings: how the pandemic has increased opportunities for disabled university students

15 July 2020
AbilityNet's Amy Low explains how new ways of working brought about by the pandemic have resulted in improvements in accessibility and inclusion for disabled university students.