The long-established relationship between South Yorkshire and India was strengthened this week at a prestigious Round Table event hosted by the Indian High Commission in London. Keynote speakers at the event were the High Commissioner of India to the UK, Ms Gaitri Issar Kumar, South Yorkshire Mayor Dan Jarvis MP MBE and Richard Stubbs, Chair of the South Yorkshire India Advisory Board. The event focused on the opportunities for more South Yorkshire businesses to export to and establish a presence in India, and for more Indian businesses to trade with and invest in South Yorkshire. Mayor Dan Jarvis spoke about how he welcomed the India High Commissioner’s support for South Yorkshire. He explains: “This was a very positive and timely discussion for South Yorkshire, in light of the Free Trade Agreement currently being negotiated between the UK and Indian governments.  India is such an important trade and investment partner for the UK and in South Yorkshire there are tremendous opportunities for our businesses in key areas such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare and digital to increase their engagement with India.” He adds: “We are proud to be working so closely and collaborating with India’s business and Government leaders, as part of enhancing trade relationships which are mutually beneficial. Establishing our South Yorkshire India Advisory Board is a key part of our commitment.” South Yorkshire LEP Board Member Richard Stubbs gave an overview of the key assets in South Yorkshire, such as the Advanced Manufacturing Park, ARMC, AWRC, Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the Olympic Legacy Park and the benefits of locating a business here.  He discussed how the recently established South Yorkshire India Advisory Board plans to further enhance awareness of South Yorkshire’s India Programme and the mutual benefits it brings to both countries. The South Yorkshire India Advisory Board includes representatives from Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield, the Olympic Legacy Park, AMRC, the local Chambers, as well as key businesses and stakeholder contacts in South Yorkshire and India.  After this a video was shown which gave an introduction to the South Yorkshire region and the benefits for those who choose to live, work, study and invest here. The event was moderated by Kevin McCole, Managing Director from UK India Business Council (UKIBC) and final concluding comments were given by Rachel Clark, Director of Trade & Investment at South Yorkshire MCA. UKIBC’s Kevin McCole said: “It is clear from the discussion today – from what Mayor Jarvis, the High Commissioner, and the brilliant Indian businesses all said – that there are real and un-tapped opportunities to grow South Yorkshire – India trade and investment flows. South Yorkshire has huge amounts to offer Indian companies, not least the talent and technology they are looking for to help them grow. And India has huge amounts to offer South Yorkshire businesses, not least a large and fast growing market that is becoming ever-more easy to enter due to pro-business reforms being made across the country.” The Round Table closely follows the announcement by India’s largest private sector company Reliance Industries that it has acquired Sheffield based Faradion Ltd. This investment is expected to grow jobs in South Yorkshire whilst opening new sites in India, creating growth and value in both countries. South Yorkshire MCA is planning a trade mission to India later in the year, with a reciprocal visit back to South Yorkshire by India’s business and civic leaders from the Maharashtra region.  The UK’s High Commissioner to India is expected to visit South Yorkshire in March when she will be hosted at a number of key businesses and locations in the region. The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, which operates its India Growth Champions Scheme, in association with the UK India Business Council, has also seen strong demand recently from this region’s businesses for support and guidance with increasing exports to India.  In total, there are 447 businesses in South Yorkshire that currently export to India. Experts predict that India will be the third largest economy in the world by 2030. In 2015, South Yorkshire exported £81m worth of goods to India – making it the region’s 12th largest trading partner. In 2017, South Yorkshire MCA introduced the strategy: ‘Make in India, Design and Develop with the South Yorkshire Region’. Since then, the relationship between South Yorkshire and India has grown and developed and has been able to open up greater trading opportunities. Trading with countries such as India is expected to help South Yorkshire businesses to recover from the Coronavirus lockdown, with international trade expected to be a key factor in driving forward future growth and prosperity in the region.

Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, which includes the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes brands, has reported significant social, economic and environmental contributions across the communities in which it builds over the course of the last year, including within the Grimsby area. In 2021, the homebuilder built 732 new homes across the region, supporting over 2,395 jobs through its own business and that of its suppliers and subcontractors in the process. This boost to the local housing market and construction industry was supported by an £9.9 million investment in physical infrastructure works such as environmental and highway improvements. As well as investing £2.1 million in community infrastructure such as local schools and transport, Barratt Developments Yorkshire East also made over £57,000 of charitable donations to support those in need during what was an especially challenging year for many. 2021 also saw the homebuilder reinforce its commitment to creating homes for nature as well as people. The business created 10 hectares of greenspace across the region, equivalent to 380 tennis courts, to help support wildlife on and around its sites. Its commitment to environmental sustainability also saw Barratt Developments recycle 97% of construction waste across its active developments. Daniel Smith, Managing Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, said: “The statistics we’re able to report from last year demonstrate the emphasis we place on supporting the people, environment and economy across East Yorkshire. We were thrilled to end 2021 having made such a positive contribution to the region and are looking forward to building on these results in 2022.”

New research has revealed that not enough is being done to educate young people about alternatives to university – meaning billions could be being wasted on tuition fees each year as a result.

The nationally representative study of 2,000 people by AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) found that only 17% of people in Yorkshire said that they heard about alternatives to degrees, such as apprenticeships, while at school, and 60% think there should be more resources available to help people learn about them.

As a consequence, misconceptions and apprehensions about apprenticeships are commonplace: the research showed that 44% of people in Yorkshire believe that apprenticeships don’t pay enough, and 22% think that they are only available for manual labour jobs. Meanwhile, only 46% see them as a good alternative to university and just 38% are aware that apprenticeships enable people to earn whilst they learn.

At the same time, the research revealed that 42% of all people aged 21-45 believe their degree has not played an essential role in their careers to date, and 16% of all people with degrees wish that they had chosen a different route. This figure rose to 20% of those aged up to 24 years – the highest amongst any age group – suggesting that the 2012 tuition fee increase and ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on in-person teaching are contributing to growing regret around the decision to attend university.

With around 1.8 million undergraduate students in the UK, each paying up to £9,250 each year, this equates to more than £9.6bn being potentially wasted on degree courses annually.

When asked about the careers advice they received at school, 18–24-year-olds were 28% more likely than average to say that the advice was focused on careers after university, with 41% agreeing with this statement.

Interestingly, 18–24-year-olds were also the least likely to say that they had found it useful (28%). Those aged 65 and over were the most likely to say they had found it useful (42%), with the number steadily decreasing with age.

Throughout the early 2000s, careers advice in schools was delivered by the governmental information, advice, guidance and support service, Connexions. However, following public spending cuts under the Coalition Government, the careers element of the Connexions service was dismantled and devolved to individual schools in 2012, meaning there is currently no requirement for standardised careers advice for those aged 13-19.

Commenting on the research, Anthony Clarke, Business Development Manager, AAT, said: “Our research paints an interesting picture of the careers advice being given to young people. Although we might think that information is widely available about different options including apprenticeships, this data would suggest that many schools are still pushing students towards university, and perhaps even more so than in previous decades.

“While university is of course the right path for some people, with tuition fees now so high and the changing provision of university education such as shifts towards blended learning, it is certainly not a decision to be taken lightly. It’s important for everyone to know that alternative options for qualifications are available, and that student debt isn’t an inevitable accompaniment to successful professional careers.

“It’s often the case that apprentices find spending three years spent in the workplace, working with and learning from experienced professionals, coupled with the opportunity to gain professional qualifications, is of greater benefit to their future careers than going to university.

“Apprenticeships offer a fantastic way into many different careers and sectors, with the opportunity to earn while you learn. It’s a real shame that a fifth of people are left regretting their higher education choices when this could have potentially been avoided with access to better or more tailored careers advice.”

Former AAT apprentice, Ben Boutwood, said: “I left school when I was 18 in 2014, and almost felt like I had no direction. My school were pushing for people to go to university; however, I knew it wasn’t my calling. I was keen to get into work early, get a skill under my belt, and train alongside working so I could earn some money, and learn on-the-job. However, I didn’t know what that was at the time!

“I applied for a job as a trainee accountant with a local firm that was hiring a junior team member, and in September 2014 began full-time work. In September 2015, I enrolled in Level 3 AAT at a local college, completed Level 3 by the summer of 2016, and then by 2018 I was well on my way to completing my Level 4 AAT. I have now been an AAT full member (MAAT) for several years, and I’m still working in the same firm.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to start a career in finance, simply because the nature of the job is very hands-on. Although you can learn a lot by sitting in a classroom, nothing will equip you better, faster and more readily than experiencing it first-hand. So much of what I learned at college was directly reinforced by my day-to-day work, and vice versa.

“An apprenticeship appealed to me for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the financial burden of a student loan terrified me, so it helped that I could earn a salary and have my training paid for. Secondly, I really didn’t want to wait three or four years for my career to start; I left school and started my career in a few months.

“My advice would be not just to go to university because that is what your friends, family or school want you to do. Sit down, and seriously think about what is right for you, and only you. I was one of five people who didn’t go to university in my school year, and it was tough going against the grain, but I knew it wasn’t right for me.

“I would encourage anyone who is unsure about what to do to consider the AAT apprentice route. It worked wonders for me and I am very happy with my career path, progression, as well as all the invaluable skills I have picked up along the way.”