Diversifying new industries needs ‘coordinated career support’

London’s universities should consider coordinating widening participation efforts to ensure they are providing a diverse pipeline for jobs in emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, according to a new report.

London Higher, which represents the capital’s higher education sector, found that while institutions already run a range of interventions, activity is too concentrated in inner and west London, with large parts of the capital still missing out.

It showed that 116,000 London students were on courses which contribute to roles such as quantum computing, AI and advanced robotics, which are seen as vital for growth by both Westminster and City Hall.

While the report acknowledged that widening participation is already established practice for many institutions, it said the “new frontier” should be improving coordination in how the sector “develops inclusive talent”.

Launched at Queen Mary University of London on 11 February, the paper showed that dozens of London’s higher education institutions deliver widening participation efforts which benefit the needs of the frontier innovation sector.

It suggested that the figures likely understate the full extent to which London diversifies the talent pool.

Richard Boffey, lead report author and head of AccessHE at London Higher, said policymakers must convert the breadth and scale of contribution identified in the report into a more strategically coordinated approach.

“The social licence of universities rests on their ability to show how they are driving both growth and opportunity,” he added.

“By looking in depth at a priority sector of London’s economy, we offer the first systematic attempt to evidence this, showing how, and where, the HE sector helps high growth-potential businesses to meet their inclusive talent and skills needs.”

Researchers found that much of the widening participation activity was concentrated around inner and west London – but warned that the outer boroughs in the “London doughnut” are less well served.

The report called for the creation of a Frontier Innovation Pathways and Talent Map, which would visualise gaps and coverage in support, and target cold spots.

It also recommended that London’s universities should pool their widening participation provision to reduce duplication, drive efficiencies and extend support to outer London boroughs.

“Improved coordination must address the low overall awareness of what frontier innovation careers are amongst Londoners,” the report says.

“Awareness challenges exist at both ends of the skills spectrum. For young Londoners, or those holding low [or] no qualifications, opportunities in this sector are not tangible.”

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com