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London losing a third of its tech graduates to UK and European rivals

The capital is facing increasing competition from tech hub rivals to hold onto its technology graduates according to new research compiled by LinkedIn.

Released to coincide with London Technology Week, the professional social network has found that almost a third of London’s tech graduates are being poached by other technology hubs, including the likes of Berlin and Stockholm.

Taking into account an anonymous sample of 3.5m LinkedIn profiles between March 2015 and March 2016 of individuals who have graduated from a London university in the last three years, the study found that a still hefty 71% remained in the city after graduating.

The study found that, along with the the European hubs mentioned above, Asia and North America were also popular destinations for London’s graduates.

While the exact reasons for such a significant proportion of graduates fleeing the capital are not explored, nor is the impact of competition from global tech graduates who clamour for a job in London considered, the figures still underline the continued fight the city has in attracting the best talent.

Joshua Graff, UK Country Manager for LinkedIn, believes that the capital’s graduates are one of its prize assets who are coveted around the world, and that the city should do more to ensure they do not take their skills elsewhere.

He commented: ’‘London’s tech graduates are some of the most sought after in the world, so it comes as no surprise that in an exciting, growing sector nearly a third are taking advantage of employment opportunities elsewhere.

“With the sector going from strength to strength, it is vital that London does all it can to hold onto these graduates, as they will play an important role in securing its continued growth in the future.’’

LinkedIn’s research also underlined the continued robust growth of the UK’s wider tech sector, registering a 15% rise in the number of members working in the software industry in the 12 months up to March this year, as the sector continues to cement its position as one of the country’s most important industries.