A new study from graduate-jobs.com shows Newcastle is attracting more graduates with its budding start-up economy.
A new study from the graduate specialist job board, graduate-jobs.com, shows Newcastle has become a hot prospect for university leavers. According to the study's findings, the number of graduates looking to work in the North East has increased by 17% over the past five years.
The independent job board looked at data collected from registered users over two five year periods and discovered Newcastle is catching up to larger cities like Leeds and Manchester.
"I don't think the city has as many opportunities as London, Manchester or Birmingham but things are definitely getting better and it's only a matter of time," says Newcastle graduate Ollie Blake.
Ollie studied Politics at Northumbria University and remained in the city after graduating in 2013. Now working as a Data Assistant for a political communications agency, Ollie says Newcastle is benefitting from a growing start-up economy.
"Creative and tech industries seem to be cropping up at a faster pace. The city has shaken its reputation as a post-industrial struggling city. More companies are starting to operate here, [meaning] more opportunities for graduate employment."
The city is a hot bed for new start-ups. Invest in North East, a collaboration between the North East Combined Authority and North East Local Enterprise Partnership, claims the area already has 6,000 creative and digital companies employing 20,000 people.
Newcastle is used as a northern outpost for many companies and Ollie says Newcastle is becoming a second home for larger companies.
"With higher business rents down south it seems more and more companies are looking start operations here. My employers have an office in London and in Newcastle, this allows them to run a larger operation whilst saving money as they are still a fairly new company."
The city also enjoys a fantastic cost of living, and graduates who settle in North East are not crippled by rent and can enjoy more leisure time.
"With cheap rents you find yourself with far more cash," Ollie says. "Generation Y is less concerned about saving their cash and increasingly looking to spend on experiences, eating out, travel and so on."
"The city always has something going on but it's not an overwhelming size. You can easily get around without being dependant on public transport and the people are great. If you get settled in a decent job the idea of saving for a mortgage and getting on the property ladder here isn't as unrealistic as elsewhere."
For graduates thinking about moving to Newcastle and the North East, Ollie says the area can provide a great mix of entertainment, opportunity and culture.
"Get settled in one of the nice areas to live like Heaton and Gosforth; both are great with a nice mix of young professionals, local families and students which makes for a vibrant mix."
"The city is full of great bars, restaurants, parks and galleries in the city," Ollie says. "North Tyneside has great coastal towns and nice rural scenes to explore all just a drive away from the city centre."