Ulster University has hosted two industry engagement events in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry aimed at strengthening connections between employers, students and graduates and addressing the future digital skills needs of Northern Ireland’s workforce.
Industry and Student Connections: Graduate Digital Readiness, held at Ulster’s Belfast campus on 21 January and Derry~Londonderry campus on 22 January, brought together employers from a wide range of sectors to explore graduate career readiness, digital transformation and the growing role of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
The events opened with remarks from Professor Angela Scanlon, Director of Student and Graduate Success at Ulster University, followed by insights from the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre on the Northern Ireland labour market and skills outlook. Attendees also heard key findings from Ulster’s 2025 Graduate Employer Survey, highlighting employer expectations around digital capability and employability skills. She said:
“Our Derry~Londonderry campus plays a vital role in connecting talent with opportunity across
the North West. Events like Graduate Digital Readiness allow us to bring employers, students and graduates into the same conversation – ensuring our graduates are not only digitally confident, but also equipped with the communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills that employers continue to value highly.”
A student and graduate panel provided real-world perspectives on entering the labour market, while roundtable discussions encouraged employers to share views on skills gaps and practical approaches to supporting graduates as they transition into professional roles.
Both events concluded with presentations from the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), showcasing how Ulster University is supporting businesses to adopt AI technologies through applied research, innovation and collaboration.
A key theme across both events was the need to balance technical and digital capability with strong behavioural skills, ensuring graduates are adaptable, collaborative and ready to thrive in fast-changing work environments.
For further information on how Ulster University can support skills development within your workforce, please contact recruit@ulster.ac.uk.