The recruitment market for graduates is continuing to thrive, according to research by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR).
The AGR Graduate Recruitment survey 2007 revealed that vacancies for graduate-level positions are anticipated to rise for the fourth consecutive year, by 12.7%. This is a significant increase on last year’s actual rise in vacancies of 5.2%.
Salaries for graduates entering the market in 2007 are predicted to increase by a modest 2.4%, to a median starting salary of £23,500.
The report suggested that, despite the large number of vacancies offered, recruiters are confident they will be able to fill these roles without offering excessive, above-inflation salaries.
The survey is a biannual barometer of the employment situation for graduates in the UK. The survey is based on the responses of 219 AGR members – many of the UK’s largest graduate recruiters in both public and private sectors.
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Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, said: “Graduates entering the market in 2007 can be optimistic about the opportunities available to them, with vacancies predicted to continue to rise.
“Although the salary increases predicted are fairly conservative, graduate salaries are already competitive in comparison to non-graduate entry-level salaries. This reflects the added value that graduates are perceived to bring to an organisation.”
