The depressed graduate jobs market is set to recover, with vacancies and
salaries expected to rise over the next 12 months, according to new figures.
The UK’s largest graduate recruiters expect vacancies to leap by 8 per cent
with average starting salaries set to grow to £20,000 – a 2.5 per cent rise.
A survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) shows that almost
half of recruiters are looking to employ more graduates than last year, while a
third are cutting back.
The bi-annual research, which included more than 220 of the biggest graduate
recruiters, marks a change in fortunes compared to last year’s 6.5 per cent
drop in vacancies.
Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, attributes the results to a more
forward-looking approach by companies.
"The rise in jobs is very encouraging, but can partly be explained by
two years of cuts. Employers are starting to recognise the importance of
getting fresh talent, and that’s what the graduate market can provide," he
said.
"Companies have learned that if they lower the recruitment shutters,
they will end up with major skills shortages in a few years time," he
said.
Telecommunications will see the largest growth with a rise of 61 per cent,
followed by IT, up by 59 per cent, consulting and business services on 36 per
cent and banking up by 36.1 per cent.
However, Graham Thompsett, graduate recruitment manager at Land Rover, said
the figures surprised him, as many in his sector were still talking about
cutting graduate recruitment.
By Ross Wigham
HR Factfile
Graduate salaries
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
The figures below show the median graduate starting salary
Overall                                                £20,000
Investment bank or fund manager         £35,000
Consulting and business services          £28,500
Legal                                                  £28,000
Media companies                               £17,500
Transport and logistics                        £16,000
