Graduate job opportunities improve

Graduate job opportunities in Norfolk and across the UK are reported to be improving. New graduates looking for employment face a brighter picture than in recent years, research suggests. The Association of Graduate Recruiters’ (AGR) Annual Survey shows a 13.2% increase on 2014 in vacancies being offered by graduate recruiters. It also suggests average starting salaries have increased by £1000, to £28,000. But the study also says the number of female graduates being recruited by AGR employers is lower than it should be and more must be done to address this.

The study indicates employers in the accountancy or professional services sector continue to offer the highest proportion of graduate vacancies, at 23%, followed by the public sector at 15%. The median starting salary for graduates in 2014-2015 was £28,000 – up from £27,000 in 2013-14 and a continuation of the steady increase from £25,000 in 2010-2011.

The study also suggests the proportion of women recruited averaged 42% per employer in 2013-14, despite the fact that 59% of all university graduates are female (according to the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency).
“The reasons for this mismatch are still unclear, but it appears that more could be done to attract female candidates to graduate recruitment programmes in the accountancy sector,” says Tina Maguire of Norwich accountancy recruitment specialists, Big Sky Additions.

AGR chief executive Stephen Isherwood said: “Gender diversity is an issue which requires more of our attention. Although our data cannot explain why women aren’t securing more graduate placements, it indicates there is more to be done to attract female graduates who in turn need to make the most of the opportunities available.”

A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: “Today’s figures continue to show the significant benefits of a degree for young people. Graduates under 30 are enjoying falling rates of unemployment and record earnings, on average. Our reforms are raising education standards across all ages, giving young people the skills to succeed.”

Despite the perception that all graduates are job-hoppers, graduates stay with surveyed employers for an average of five years, and only 6% leave in their first year on the job. “We encourage our employers to consider applications from graduates fairly as they can bring many skills and talents to the workplace, and are usually very eager to make a significant commitment to the business over many years,” added Tina, who recruits for permanent and temporary accountancy jobs in Norfolk.

For further advice about your graduate career options contact Tina Maguire today :-