Graduate employment statistics: AGCAS response
AGCAS says that figures reported in the media based on a recent press release for What Do Graduates Do 2010? are almost a year out of date. Employer surveys and anecdotal evidence from HE careers services suggests that the position has improved considerably since this time last year. Graduates shouldn't be complacent as reduced funding for the public sector may well change the picture again, but neither should they feel demoralised.
The message to students and graduates is not to be downhearted: if graduate unemployment was at 8.9% for 2009 graduates after 6 months, that means that 91.1% of graduates were in work, studying or unavailable for work. Graduates should remain upbeat and consider how to enhance their own chances of getting a foot in the door. This might involve having a plan B, not ignoring small to medium-sized companies, being proactive and taking advantage of the help on offer.
Internships and advice
There is help available for graduates as well as current students via university careers services. Many now offer paid internships and mentoring as well as the more traditional information and advice. Internships can be an invaluable way of developing the levels of transferable skills, commercial awareness and vocational knowledge and experience employers in all sectors are looking for. Graduates should start by looking at the website of their old university.
Margaret Dane, AGCAS CEO, said:
"The message we are getting from many employers is that they are recruiting and in some cases are not receiving the number of applications they’d expect. This may be because students and graduates are being demoralised by what they read and hear in the media. Many sectors are competitive but there are still jobs to apply for. In addition, university careers services are working to improve the employability of graduates by developing paid graduate internships with a broad range of employers to help those who are 'struggling' to find suitable work to develop the levels of transferable skills, commercial awareness and vocational knowledge and experience employers in all sectors are looking for. Graduates should take advantage of these opportunities."
Never too early
It’s never too early for current students to start career planning. Work experience, involvement in student life and voluntary work can all help your CV stand out to an employer. They should take advantage of and make their own opportunities while at university.
Lucy Madahar, AGCAS Director and Assistant Director of Student Services, Birmingham City University, added:
"Although perhaps not ideal, many graduates don’t start to get down to serious job hunting until after graduation and perhaps even a holiday. Historically, graduate employment improves considerably if we look at data after a year or 18 months. Ideally though, start early, be proactive, take advice, be flexible – but above all don’t give up."
AGCAS members are invited to comment below. You will need to have registered with this website and signed in to be able to leave a comment, and to read the comments of others.
AGCAS contacts
Sally West (initial telephone contact for the media): 0114 251 5770
Margaret Dane (AGCAS CEO)
Chris Jackson (AGCAS Communications and Marketing Manager)
Tags: employability HECSU what do graduates do graduate employment internships
Created on: 03 November 2010
Last updated: 18 November 2010