Government help unwanted
Many employers wouldn’t take advantage if internships for graduates were government funded, according to the latest Labour Market Outlook Report (LMO).
45% of the LMO employers surveyed said they were likely to turn down any help from the government.
Deputy Director of the Careers Service at Cambridge University David Ainscough thinks some firms would struggle taking on more internships: “the problem they will have is they can only take so many interns in before they are top heavy.
“There’s a bit of a trade off between your penultimate year internships and the new internships that the government are offering to fund…although I suspect they could make some kind of saving, it’s a bit of a dilemma.”
This presents yet more challenges for the 300,000 graduates who graduate in the UK every year.
Brunel graduate Nick Edwards, 21, says “it seems like there are a lot less entry level jobs for graduates and most companies looking for employees at the moment are expecting someone with years of experience.”
Chief Executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters, Carl Gilleard says: “If you are really intent on securing a top flight graduate job straight out of university you may have to be willing to adapt.”
Post graduate study isn’t encouraged
Employers are urging graduates to take on temporary paid work rather than travel or return to university according to a survey by AGR (Association of Graduate Recruiters).
Bournemouth graduate Michael Breathwick says: “I am a little put off by post grad or masters’ courses as I feel that I have done enough studying and want to start earning.”
In contradiction, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills are advising graduates to consider further study.
Deputy Director of the careers service at Cambridge University, David Ainscough says: “applications to study for a higher degree at Cambridge this coming year in common with many institutions around the country is up, on an average of 10%.”
And in a bid to avoid the recession the government is asking graduates to consider working abroad.
The overall message seems mixed, Brunel graduate, Nick Edwards is willing to move abroad to find the right job.
He adds: “I would only do temporary work if it was with a prestigious firm.”
Head of student recruitment and marketing at Leeds University, Helen Clapham advises: “Whatever you do think about how that fits in with your longer term objective and for many professions you do need now post graduate qualifications or professional qualifications.”
Back to NEWSY STUFF
A helping hand
Graduates need help to seek out opportunities, according to the head of employment policy at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Neil Carberry.
Careers services at many universities have organised extra assistance to graduates struggling to find work in the current climate.
Deputy Director of the careers service at Cambridge University David Ainscough says: “we were quite lucky…the university gave us additional funding to help with the recession, that is common amongst a few of the careers services.
“We introduced briefing sessions for students so they could come along and hear specifically how the recession was playing out and what they had to do about it.”
The competition is tough but the work is still out there, “the important thing is maintaining skills and maintaining employability and people’s connection with the labour market” explains Mr Carberry.
Head of marketing and sales at Leeds University Helen Clapham explains that the conversations they’ve been having with their graduates are about ensuring they are “making the most of their time at Leeds to really prepare themselves for the job market.”
Graduates turn green
Investing in green energy could generate thousands of engineering positions for graduates across the UK, according to the union Unite.
“The demand for components and equipment from power generation companies gives UK manufacturing companies huge opportunities to expand” says National Officer for Unite, Dougie Rooney.
At the New Energy Brings New Opportunity conference the large union spoke out about the 10,000 jobs that could be created.
It was suggested that the government should fund the green technology to avoid facing a generation of unemployed and angry graduates.
STRIDE Project Officer Richard Snell said: “the competitiveness and employment particularly channels some of its funding towards these types of industries…as for the creation of graduate jobs, bring it on!”
“It seems that Engineering Graduates are going to be very much in demand as the rail sector has also announced that it will be recruiting graduates from this discipline.”
