There’s lots of people in the public sector with university-level qualifications.
Some of this is because degrees are required for particular professions, or particular roles. Some of it may also be because graduates are attracted to the idea of serving the public in this way, or to addressing the complex social, technical, and economic problems the nation faces.
But, as Claire Taylor (the Vice Chancellor at Plymouth Marjon University) notes, the public sector is in turmoil – staff recruitment and retention is in freefall. Teachers and NHS staff may be the most visibly discontent, but there are all kinds of roles in all kinds of industries that are also struggling.
Universities clearly have a role to play in the public sector staff pipeline – but before I consider that it might be worth going through current numbers.
