Milkround News, 26 March 2009
Graduates need more work experience than ever to get hired, according to the head of the Confederation of British Industry.
CBI Director-General Richard Lambert claims it is vital students gain employability skills and experience of the workplace while at university so they are better equipped to compete in the increasingly tough jobs market after graduation.
A report by the CBI and Universities UK released today features case study examples of how employers and universities are already working successfully together to offer students work placements during their degrees, embed employability into courses and provide on-campus opportunities to meet employers.
It contains figures from the latest CBI education and skills survey which states more than three-quarters of employers consider employability skills essential when recruiting graduates and want universities to continue to prioritise improving these skills among undergraduates.
Seven in 10 firms do not specify degree subject for their graduate jobs and a whopping 84 percent do not consider the university attended as being a key influence.
Richard Lambert will said: "To say that the class of 2009 won’t have it easy after graduation is an understatement – competition for jobs will be the most intense for many years.
"Of course businesses don’t expect graduates to arrive on day one fully trained, but what they do value in graduates are their people skills, a focus on the customer and a keenness to solve problems. It’s no good graduates regretting not taking up opportunities once they leave university – many universities are keen to help them gain work experience during their degree.
"Universities and business must do more to meet the pent up demand that exists among students for doing work placements and internships during a degree, and developing the skills they know will be vital in getting a good job after graduation. There’s no substitute for experience gained directly on the job and offering placements can be a cost effective route to recruitment."
Professor Rick Trainor, President of Universities UK, added: "There is no doubt that, in many sectors, this year’s graduates will be facing stiff competition for jobs due to the recession.
"Skills and attributes that will help graduates get jobs and manage their careers over a lifetime are being developed as part of the broader higher education experience. This is now more important than ever, as universities – and their graduates – will be key to the UK’s growth path out of recession."
