Social mobility: making the future work for everyone

Former UK Secretary of State, Justine Greening, led a series of discussions at LJMU this week aimed at creating better opportunities for young people.

LJMU staff, students and local employers were among those sharing ideas to boost social mobility and the levelling up agenda.

The event at the Student Life Building was part of the Open Doors Project being delivered by the Purpose Coalition, which is made up of leading businesses, NHS trusts, councils and universities committed to improving social mobility.

Following a number of presentations, attendees took part in productive round-table sessions and networking opportunities. The sessions were an opportunity for students, staff and employers to share their experiences and discuss the challenges they each face to ensure people leave university with the skills they need to progress in their careers.

Vice-Chancellor, Mark Power, told the audience: “As an institution we care very deeply and passionately about the agenda of social mobility.

“Two key things on our agenda are: driving the local and regional economy to make sure that our students have choice when they leave LJMU because there are sufficient graduate-level jobs available in the city region. Secondly, ensuring that our students are equipped for those jobs.

“We provide our students with the best opportunity to develop themselves as individuals, provide them with the right level of confidence, ability, skills and experience to enable them to be bold, to be confident and to go out into the world and operate with integrity.”

Justine Greening said: “LJMU has shown real leadership on social mobility. For universities like this, social mobility goes beyond the widening access and participation agenda to the experience that students get while they are here and, increasingly, looking at how we can make sure the brilliant talent that comes through the doors at LJMU connects to the fantastic careers that are out there.”

Sandeep Bhandal, of Adecco UK - part of the Purpose Coalition – said: “Our purpose is to make the future work for everyone. We want to help organisations locally and globally - small, medium and large - to understand how we can help future talent get the jobs that they need.”

Pictured: Sandeep Bhandal, Mark Power and Justine Greening.