Access highly skilled talent
Nothing matters more than attracting and retaining the right people for your business.
Birmingham and the West Midlands’ universities produce talented individuals, with more than half choosing to stay in the region due to the high quality of life and the opportunities to earn putting their professional skills to good use.
West Midlands talent pool
Reach and exceed ambitious business goals by having the right people in place. Our deep and diverse talent pool of over 1.1 million residents qualified to degree level or higher is arguably our biggest asset, and it’s constantly growing.
This vibrant working-age population is continually boosted by waves of migration out of London, with more young professionals moving from the capital to Birmingham than in the other direction.
Nine world-class institutions feed the talent pool, producing 60,000 graduates each year. With 55% graduate retention in the region, you’re more likely to find the right people to develop and expand your business here than anywhere else.
The West Midlands, probably outside of only a few other city regions in the world, can provide employers with such a diverse set of skills.
Diverse talent
The most powerful asset to the West Midlands’ diverse talent is its people. Its diverse community, comprising 190 nationalities, underpins a region with a truly global outlook that is economically competitive and rich in cultural variety. The area is home to one of the youngest populations in Europe, with 32% under the age of 25.
The West Midlands has more students in all core subjects than any other Combined Authority and more graduates each year in all subjects. The area is also leading the UK’s STEM education capabilities, with over 20,000 graduates in the region equipping the industry with the right skillset.