How can Guernsey students be encouraged to return?

A Guernsey politician is calling for ways to get higher education students to return to the island after university to be explored.

A review of higher education funding is under way - currently it is calculated on a means test of parents' household income, assets and allowances and does not consider if the student returns after they graduate.

Some students have said their reasoning for not returning include a lack of job opportunities, the cost of living and the nature of their courses.

Deputy Tom Rylatt has suggested changes could be made to the higher education grant scheme to encourage students to return.

Harry Swain, 21, studies wildlife conservation and thinks more support could be offered to students in different industries.

He said: "I think that most bursary schemes or anything in that regard, focus primarily on like the finance sector."

Swain said the cost of living and housing market also influenced his decision to not return once he graduates.

"It can make it very challenging to even dream of moving back here in the next decade."

Kathleen Truelove studies musical theatre and also plans not to return once she graduates.

She said: "I'm going for my passion and I hope one day to make it to the West End - that is kind of hard to do if you live in Guernsey."

Truelove said the island had an aging population and the workforce "lacked newer voices".

She added some of her friends want to spend "their 20s in a bigger city" before they "settle down" in the island.

Rylatt said: "I think there are a few options that can be considered.

Whether it is repayment schemes, whether it is if you come back to the island and work for a certain period of time then the grant is written off and you do not have to repay it."

He added: "The current system provides the option for a student to get their qualifications, benefit from the grant and not necessarily bring their skills back to Guernsey."

The Committee for Education, Sport & Culture said: "A review of funding for Higher Education is currently under way, and findings and recommendations will be shared by the committee in due course."

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