With graduate job opportunities tightening across the North, many young people in Macclesfield are finding creative ways to build their futures closer to home.

Recent data shows that the graduate job market in 2025 is one of the toughest in years, with a 35% drop in graduate hiring nationally and more competition for entry-level roles in northern towns than in the south.

For many Macclesfield graduates, this means balancing ambition with practicality, choosing to stay local for affordability, community, or love, rather than moving to larger cities like Manchester or London.

Evelyn Hurst, a BA linguistics and phonetics graduate, said: "I feel as though I was very lucky in securing a post-university job."

She now works as a teaching assistant in a local school and says she loves it.

However, Evelyn added: "If you aren't someone with my degree who is interested in education then the job opportunities could be much smaller.

"I would eventually like to move into working within speech and language, but I don't see a future where that will be a possibility if I stay in Macclesfield."

Evelyn Hurst, a BA linguistics and phonetics graduate (Credit: Supplied)

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While the market may be difficult, local events like the Macclesfield Jobs Fair are helping bridge the gap between graduates and employers.

The event, held in June 2025 and hosted by Cheshire East Council in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, welcomed more than 600 attendees from across the borough.

It aimed to connect local talent with potential employers and offered practical career support through the National Careers Service.

Councillor Michael Gorman praised the event's impact.

He said: "It's about more than just finding a job: it's about building confidence, making connections, and opening doors."

Mark Gibson from the National Careers Service added: "Being here means we can offer real-time support to people who need it whether that's help with applications, CVs, or simply talking through their options.

"Everyone benefits from having someone in their corner, and we're here to provide that support for people of all ages, no matter their employment status." 

A jobs fair was held at Macclesfield Town Hall in July (Credit: CEC)

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Will Garland, who recently moved to Macclesfield after completing a master's in biochemistry, has also been exploring his options.

He said: "I attempted to find some short-term job roles related to my degree in the Macclesfield area, but found it very difficult."

Despite this, he remains optimistic.

He added: "I am continuing to target graduate opportunities in East Cheshire and Manchester in the hope of securing a role for 2026.

"In the meantime, I've taken up a hospitality role, but these are also very competitive, it seems as though there are lots of people fighting in this area for jobs."

Will Garland recently moved to Macclesfield after completing a master's in biochemistry (Credit: Supplied)

Despite the challenges, local graduates are contributing to a wider regional recovery, with universities in the North West reporting that graduate talent adds nearly £10 billion a year to the region's economy.

However, there are lots of opportunities appearing.

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Cafés, tech start-ups, and small creative agencies across Macclesfield are increasingly hiring young graduates who want meaningful work without leaving Cheshire.

At the same time, remote and hybrid jobs have opened new doors, allowing Macclesfield graduates to work for national or international companies while staying rooted in their local community.

As a graduate myself, I know how hard it can feel starting out and deciding whether to stay or go.

Yet, while the path from graduation to career may be uncertain, Macclesfield's young people are proving that success doesn't always mean leaving.

While the choice will always be personal, for myself and fellow Macclesfield graduates, the chance to grow roots here feels more possible than ever.