RESEARCHERS have been finding out why many graduates of Bournemouth University take their talents away from the area.

A new project, Love Where You Work, has ben funded by BCP Council and carried out by researchers at the university in a bid to attract and retain young talent.

Dr Samreen Ashraf, principal academic in marketing at BU Business School, who led the research, said: “Through this project, we are hoping to address the challenges local employers have been facing in recruiting new talent in the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) area. This will help the local economy by bridging the gap in the local jobs market.

“There were several emerging themes from the alumni interviews. Some alumni cited the company’s culture as the most important factor in their work life. These participants wanted to know how their time will be spent at their job, if the company will take care of their wellbeing, whether there are any social events for the employees. They looked for these factors while searching for their jobs.”

The research found alumni often used LinkedIn, company websites and YouTube to research companies to target for work, but employers were not always on those platforms.

Dr Ashraf said: “When employers were asked about the same, some employers did not have a LinkedIn page, or their own website, and their main sources of advertising for their jobs were job advertisement websites. This was one of the biggest differences between the alumni and employers’ perspectives.

“Secondly, the BCP area was considered to be ‘too expensive to live for your first job’. Participants did not want to spend all their money on their accommodation and thus did not want to stay in the BCP area.”

The research involved interviews carried out between April and September last year, firstly with employers and then with BU alumni. Alumni who are working outside the local area were asked about their motivations for moving away.

Dr Ashraf added: “Most of the employers were looking for experienced candidates, which links with the pressure expressed by some alumni participants who expressed concern that they lacked experience when applying for their first job.”

An event called Careers Expo – Love Where You Work will aim to help address the challenges identified on Wednesday, February 8, at the Hilton in Bournemouth town centre. Employers from six key sectors will showcase their companies and offer activities including on-the-spot interviews.

Cllr Toby Johnson, BCP Council’s lead member for Levelling Up and Skills, said: “This research is key to us understanding the needs of young talent and what local employers can do to help in this process.”

Places at the careers expo can be booked by searching for Love Where You Work at Eventbrite.co.uk