Posted 30 July 2019

Recent graduates and college leavers from Go Higher West Yorkshire’s 13 partners have got plenty to celebrate this Yorkshire Day (1 August).

As they move into employment, the wide range of expertise they offer will make them highly sought after by employers. Many will also be able to help plug the region’s skills shortages, which includes those in key sector areas: Computer science and digital; Architecture, building and planning; Agricultural; and Education.

The region already has a well-established digital sector and Leeds Arts University is preparing the next generation with a range of courses including BA (Hons) Graphic Design. This has been awarded the Creative Skillset Tick, the industry quality mark for practice-based courses that best prepare students for a career in the industry. In addition, Bradford College is offering BSc (Hons) Games and Digital Media, and the University of Bradford a BSc Animation. For those wanting an introduction to production techniques, meanwhile, Leeds College of Music runs a short course in industry standard software Logic Pro X.

Cranes and scaffolding are a familiar sight as the region continues to build to meet local need. At the forefront of this are Leeds College of Building, which has a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment, and the University of Huddersfield, which runs the industry recognised BA (Hons) Architecture/Architecture (International) (RIBA Part 1).

Helping to inspire the workforce of tomorrow are Wakefield College, which offers a BA (Hons) in Education and Professional Development. Leeds Trinity University also has BA (Hons) Education Studies while the University of Leeds teaches BA Childhood Studies.

There are also plenty of courses on offer in more traditional, land-based subjects. Leeds City College recently opened a School of Land and Animal Sciences at Temple Newsam, from where it runs a Level 3 Practical Animal Care Skill ABC.  The hands-on qualification gives students practical skills in handling a variety of farm animals and pets. Kirklees College also teaches a BTEC Diploma Level 2 in Agriculture.

Young people wanting to earn while they learn can also study Higher Level Degree Apprenticeships. Leeds Beckett University offers BSc Building Surveying, while Calderdale College runs an FdSc in Digital Marketing.

All partners offer a wide range of other relevant courses at different levels that will help to address the region’s skills shortages and ensure that young people will want to stay in God’s Own Country.