Universities can play a leading role in better identifying and analysing skills shortages in England and students should be incentivised to study subjects that are particularly in need, according to a new report.
Institutions grounded in local areas can develop targeted responses to regional skills deficits and pivot their provision to meet these demands, according to MillionPlus, the association that represents modern universities.
Its report – Future Proofing England’s Workforce – how modern universities can meet the skills challenge – argues that modern universities need to be empowered with “data, resources and autonomy” to address current staff shortages in areas such as healthcare, education, technology and construction, which are constraining economic growth and productivity in England.
To achieve this, a more strategic approach that accurately pinpoints both current and future skills requirements is needed, the report says, because – although the number of vacancies is well known – the reasons for shortages have not been properly analysed.
