There has been a significant increase in the number of graduate jobs in the UK but many employers are struggling to fill skilled posts, a survey says.
The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) predicted there would be 17% more graduate jobs available during 2013-14.
However, its summer survey of 189 top employers found nearly a quarter had been unable to fill posts last year.
The government said the increase in graduate jobs showed that confidence in British business was growing.
"Start Quote
End Quote AGR surveyNearly a quarter of member have unfilled vacancies"
The twice-yearly survey of the top graduate recruiters, which runs from September to September and covers a wide range of businesses, suggests "significant recovery" in the graduate job market.
There will be an estimated 22,076 vacancies by September 2014.
It follows on from optimistic signals in the winter survey when a 10% increase in graduate posts was heralded.
It says: "This is good news but it doesn't mean the market has necessarily become easier for all employers and students.
"Nearly a quarter of members have unfilled vacancies.
"This means there is a mismatch in the graduate labour market between the supply of students and the demands of employers."
The report goes on to say the causes of "this dysfunction are complex", and it predicts the problem will grow because of a fall in the number of teenagers.
On wages, the median graduate starting salary has risen by £500 to £27,000 this year.
Changes in graduate job vacancies
- 2007-08 Down 6.7%
- 2008-09 Down 17.8%
- 2009-10 Up 12.6%
- 2010-11 Up 2.8%
- 2011-12 Down 0.9%
- 2012-13 Up 4.6%
- 2013-14 Up 17%
The largest starting salaries are for investment bank or fund managers who can expect £42,000, according to the survey.
AGR chief executive Stephen Isherwood said: "The rise in vacancies and salaries shown in our summer report is fantastic news for graduates, and it is encouraging to see that employers are able to invest in graduate talent in this way.
"However, this doesn't mean the job market is easy.
"There are still unfilled graduate vacancies as employers are not always able to find the right people, with the right knowledge, skills and attitudes, for the job.
"Graduates must ensure they really do their research, target their applications and ensure their CVs do them justice if they want to be in with a good chance of securing a place on a graduate scheme following university."
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: "This increase in the number of graduate vacancies is yet further demonstration of the growth in confidence of British businesses.
"There is an increasing number of students entering higher education, and evidence across the sector suggests that employers recruiting from university and higher education have found the large majority of graduates to be well or very well prepared for work."
Graduate jobs in the UK 'grow 17%'
Put the internet to work for you.
0 comments:
Post a Comment