New graduates’ vital role in addressing the workforce skills gap was highlighted by senior University of Cumbria leaders at the first graduation ceremony.

In her speech to waiting students and watching families, vice chancellor professor Julie Mennell spoke of the critical need for graduates in Cumbria to address the coming shortfall in jobs.

She highlighted the current predictions that 56,000 jobs will need to be filled in Cumbria by 2021 in order to plug the ‘skills gap’.

“It is up to people like you, graduating today, to help meet the very real needs of the skills gaps that we have in Cumbria and elsewhere across the country,” she said.

Her comments were echoed by pro-vice chancellor for health at the University of Cumbria, professor Brian Webster-Henderson.

“There’s no doubt in my head that the University of Cumbria and the higher education we provide can absolutely address some of the skills gaps issues locally, regionally and nationally,” he said.

With more than 100 current vacancies open across the two NHS trusts in north Cumbria - North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust - graduates from the University of Cumbria’s healthcare science and nursing degree programmes will undoubtedly be seen as a valuable resource.

Professor Webster-Henderson said of yesterday’s graduation: “It was a great experience for all the staff at the university to really celebrate the achievements of our students.

“Particularly at a time when healthcare needs skilled workers in the workforce.

“It makes me particularly proud both as a health professional and an academic to see our students graduate today.”

Having joined the university in December, Prof Webster-Henderson said it was a particularly exciting time to be a part of the higher education institution.

“I’ve been with the university for six months,” he said.

“I’m really glad to be here at this time, because our potential and our offering to the community is much needed.

“It feels great to be part of the University of Cumbria at this time.”

He echoed Prof Mennell’s comments made in her address earlier yesterday that the university’s new powers to award research degrees was a significant step forward for the institution.

“It’s another milestone in the university’s history,” he said.

“We’ve always done PhDs in collaboration with others. To get our own research degree awarding powers means that we can really see our students students at a very different level to before, and that’s fantastic to see.”