Graduates not upbeat about job market |
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Sat, 23 Apr 2005 01:00
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A number of final year students are not very hopeful of finding enough suitable jobs after they jump the final academic fence this summer, a survey suggests.
The survey by High Fliers Research, an independent research company, was based on interviews with 16,113 students during February and March at 30 institutions. It reported that only 36% of university students expect to find a degree-level job on graduation, a third less than when Labour came to power. Two thirds believe there are not enough suitable jobs for them. The findings reflect a clear drop in student confidence.
| Labour is expected to contest the findings of the survey as it means a failure of its education policies. Sure enough, Labour was quick to point out that the study had considered students’ expectations rather than actual outcomes after they graduated. They said another study conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency in 2004 had shown a 10% increase in the proportion of graduates entering employment. A fact that stands in Labour’s favour is that unemployment is currently at its lowest level in 29 years.
In contrast the High Fliers Study reveals that although there is a sharp rise in the number of university students there was no corresponding increase in graduate-level jobs. The results showed 21% of students were confident of starting a full-time graduate position and another 15% would be looking for work; that makes it 36% which is up by 1% from last year.
One in every five students felt there were not enough jobs for every fresh graduate, while only 17% said there were plenty for all.
One in every four students decided to take up postgraduate study. Half of these were doing so because they believed “just a first degree was not enough to qualify in the current job market.” reflecting the sentiment of the majority.
8% said they might take a temporary job or a position in the voluntary sector.
17% planned to take a break or go travelling while 14% had no plans.
The survey also finds a sharp rise in students seeking public sector jobs, which may be a reflection of Labour’s increased spending on public services. The number of students seeking to join the police registered an increase of 57% from last year.
Teaching appeared to be a popular choice for the first time since 1994. Media and marketing were at second and third place in job choices.
London continues to be the preferred employment destination with 1 in every 3 students voting for it.
Salary expectations reflected a rise of 4% from last year: the average salary expected from their first job was £19,800.
Most of the students said they will be using online placement services and job searches on graduation.
The 30 institutions included Aston, Belfast Queens University, Cambridge, Dublin Trinity College, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Lancaster, Liverpool, London Imperial College, London School of Economics, London University College, Warwick, among others.
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