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Skills & Workforce

Plymouth is an amazing city to live, work, study and play. It has inspirational businesses across a range of sectors, from marine science and manufacturing to creative, digital and health. We know that employers are looking for the best-skilled people to join their teams now and in the future. That is why investing in skills training to develop and retain your workforce is a top priority.

We can help you with localised advice and guidance, as well as workforce development solutions for recruitment, skills, training, retention and employment.

To find out more about the support on offer, visit Skills Launchpad Plymouth Employer Hub the one-stop-shop for skills, training, education, careers and jobs in Plymouth. It is endorsed by the Plymouth and Devon Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses, and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.

Graduate Talent

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35,500

Students studying in the city

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Internationally recognised Universities

Plymouth benefits from a population of almost 35,500 students studying in the city, providing a highly skilled and adaptable workforce for businesses and is home to three internationally recognised Universities, University of Plymouth, Plymouth Marjon University and Arts University Plymouth and three specialist research institutions, the Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and DDRC Healthcare.

Specialist areas of teaching at Higher Education level include:  

  • University of Plymouth – Marine, Engineering, and Health among others
  • Plymouth Marjon University – Education and Teacher training, Sports Science, Health and Wellbeing including digital wellbeing interventions 
  • Arts University Plymouth – Creative industries, materials knowledge, and culture  

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, which reviews the quality of undergraduate teaching ranks the Plymouth higher education establishments as follows:  

  • University of Plymouth – Gold 
  • Plymouth Marjon University – Gold 
  • Arts University Plymouth – Silver 
  • City College Plymouth – Gold 

Plymouth is home to an extensive private training network. Find out more by visiting Devon and Cornwall Training Provider Network.