Economy and skills

Driving the future of economic growth, skills and innovation.

The University of York is tackling one of the UK’s most pressing challenges: how our higher education sector can drive sustainable economic growth, innovate with scalable industries and future-proof the workforce.

Through high-impact research with global partners like Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), Public First and London Economics, York is setting the standard for translating opportunities and complex data into actionable strategies - all to create value locally, nationally and internationally.

While shaping regional and national policy, the University also acts as an economic powerhouse closer to home. It generates hundreds of millions in local economic value, creates thousands of jobs, supports regional business growth and fuels innovation across York, North Yorkshire and beyond.

Skills for the future

What does the UK need from a future-fit Higher Education sector?

The UK’s ambitions for faster growth, higher productivity and leadership in digital transformation and artificial intelligence will stand or fall on its ability to educate, reskill and sustain a motivated workforce.

Find out how the University of York is setting out the vision for the future of skills.

Closing the national skills gap

Read our report on adopting a ‘skills-first’ approach and building an AI-ready workforce.

Skills strategy for regional growth

Find out how regions can create the talent pipelines where it's needed the most.

Supercharging the regional economy

By aligning the University of York’s renowned research strengths with the UK’s wider strategy for devolution and regional sustainable growth, we are unlocking the North’s potential to drive the national industrial strategy and highly-skilled jobs.

We work hand-in-hand with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, weaving our research expertise directly into the region’s rich industrial heritage. Through new partnerships with industry, we can create corridors of innovation - for example, stretching from York to the Tees Valley.

Together, we are enabling regional enterprise and new technologies to scale up quickly in green energy, digital creativities, health and digital media.

Read more about how the University is connecting talent, infrastructure and ambition to drive regional prosperity.

Opinion

Why a new northern partnership will drive UK’s bio-based economic future

Case study

How York's research supports the bioeconomy

News

An ambitious community heritage project is celebrates the rich identity of the high street in York

News

Celebrating new regional funding to boost the economy, creative industries and local communities

Our economic impact

As a major provider, York helps create prosperity and drives economic growth both locally and nationally.

Our staff and students join us from across the UK and from elsewhere in the world. They live and work in the local area: their expenditure - and ours - supports a range of businesses and services.

Universities improve lives through their research. This work broadens our collective knowledge, confronts today's most significant problems, and generates the inventive breakthroughs essential for growth and development.

Read the report on York's economic impact