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Graduate Employment Report
Edited by: Masooma Raza
Graduate recruitment has increased in recent years but the job
market still remains highly competitive. At least 350,000 graduates Types of skill in short supply
leave university each year looking for work with a large number of
48% 44%
applicants competing for each job vacancy. In the current climate, 42% 39% 38%
36% 34%
having a good degree in a relevant subject is not always enough. It 36% 30%
may help to get you shortlisted but an offer of employment will 30% 27% 25% 25%
depend on the additional skills offered to complement any academic 24% 19%
18% 16% 16% 15%
achievements. Employability skills are becoming increasingly
12%
important to employers who shortlist a growing number of similarly
6%
qualified applicants for the same job. 0%
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A skills gap threatens the sustainability of businesses around the
nica l co sto Pr co v an ore e ad
world. Whilst a large part of the skills gap is focused on shortages of ch Ora Cu en Ad F c
Te ritt Offi
people skilled in the science, technology, engineering and W
mathematics (STEM) subjects, there is also a gap in ‘soft skills’ such
as problem solving, team working and communication. In a recent Employability Skills
employment and skills survey employers identified the following skills
as being in short supply: Those leaving the education system often lack the skills that
employers are looking for. A fall in vocational training and a rise in
graduate degree training have led to graduates having higher
qualifications but fewer workplace skills - they know more but can do
less.
Graduate employers across all industries want more than just
academic qualifications. They want graduates who can demonstrate
a wide range of skills, attributes and knowledge, often called
‘employability skills’. The most valued skills are:
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COMMUNICATION Peer mentoring is all about students supporting each other. It is a
voluntary scheme which was designed to help new students in their
TEAM WORKING first year of study but is also available to continuing students who
LEADERSHIP feel they could benefit from peer support. Mentoring provides the
INITIATIVE opportunity of developing transferable skills, meeting new people
PROBLEM-SOLVING and gaining valuable experience.
FLEXIBILITY Student Ambassadors
ENTHUSIASM
Graduates should take steps to improve their employability skills This scheme recruits students to represent the university at on-
before leaving university. Skills development programmes will bridge campus events as well as in local schools, colleges and the
the gap between education and employment by providing career community. The aim of the scheme is to raise aspirations and
development activities, work experience and volunteering encourage people from a variety of backgrounds to consider
opportunities. These will equip students with the skills required for progression to higher education. Student Ambassadors provide a
work and increase their value in the job market. role model to learners and a unique perspective on life as a student
which can engage and inspire.
Volunteering Projects As ambassadors, students get involved in a range of challenging and
rewarding placements and projects including open days, taster days,
Many employers favour applicants with voluntary
student shadowing, marketing events, and higher education fairs.
work experience. The range of employability skills
Student ambassadors receive training to support them in their
that can be gained is extensive including leadership,
outreach and recruitment roles. The scheme provides work and
problem-solving, teamwork, initiative and self-
training opportunities which help to build confidence, encourage
awareness. Virtually every paid job can be mirrored
personal development and develop transferable employability skills
by a volunteering opportunity and so can also give direction and
in preparation for future employment.
focus to choosing a career.
Being a volunteer brings value to the local community and develops Internships
skills at the same time. It also provides the opportunity to meet new
professionals, gain new skills, network and develop relationships that Everyone agrees that work placements and internships make a huge
might become crucial in future career development. Some difference to employability skills. Graduate internships and work
volunteering placements offer accredited training such as first aid, placement opportunities offer relevant work experience and are an
child protection and mental health awareness training. increasingly popular way of launching a career. Working as an intern
in a firm is a great way of making valuable contacts in a chosen
Peer Mentoring profession.
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Research suggests that the key to securing a top role is to undertake Research has shown a changing jobs market, with employers saying
work placements at the company in question. A third of graduate they need to recruit more skilled staff, while cutting the number of
vacancies are filled by applicants who have already worked for the low-skilled jobs. This is good news for those graduating from
organisation during their degree course, either through paid university. Business and the IT sector are expected to see the
internships, industrial placements or holiday work. For employers, strongest rates of job growth in the next 10 years. Manufacturing,
work experience schemes have become an integral part of recruiting education and public administration jobs will continue to decline, as
new graduates. Many use this as a way to try out graduates before will administrative and secretarial occupations which will see the
offering them a permanent position. Graduates who have had no largest decline with 390,000 fewer jobs. The construction, health and
previous work experience have very little chance of receiving a job social care sectors are expected to see strong growth, as will leisure
offer on a graduate programme. and other service sectors which are expected to contribute over
400,000 additional jobs.
Digital Skills As we move to a digital economy, digital skills are becoming more
and more important for students to master. By 2020 it is predicted
A worker with inadequate digital skills wastes
that digital skills will be required by 90% of all jobs across all work
up to 21% of total productivity time and an
sectors and there will be up to 900,000 unfilled IT vacancies.
average office worker is estimated to waste
an hour a day through poor computer
knowledge.
According to top employers graduates are missing out on jobs
because their grasp of digital technology is not strong enough.
Digital skills and knowing how to use basic productivity software
such as word processing software and spreadsheets are baseline
requirements in nearly 80 percent of all middle-skill job openings and
are critical to earning a living wage these days. Jobs that require
digital skills are growing at a much faster rate than other jobs.
Future Projections
A career for life is no longer an option. Most people will hold jobs
with a variety of employers and move across different employment
sectors through their working life. Transferable and employability
skills are essential in career development.
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