Students still on course for tough times

Almost half of graduates from universities across the country have failed to gain permanent employment in the UK six months on from completing their course, a new survey has revealed. 

Only 53 per cent of students who qualified from Scottish higher education institutions last year had entered full-time employment in the British Isles by the end of 2010.

The figures, published by the Scottish Government last week, were "very worrying" according to student leaders amid warnings a lost generation of graduates could be on the cards.

More than one in ten graduates were in temporary employment within the UK after the 2009-10 academic year – a 1 per cent increase on 2008-09 – while 6.4 per cent were believed unemployed. 

A six per cent drop in the number of students finding permanent employment has occurred since 2003, the figures show, while postgraduates are now twice as likely to be in temporary UK employment than seven years ago.

Robin Parker, president of the National Union of Students (NUS) in Scotland said: "This is undoubtedly a very tough time for graduates looking for jobs. These figures are very worrying in that they show fewer graduates are getting full-time jobs, greater numbers are in temporary jobs, and graduate level jobs are harder to come by.

"The Scottish and Westminster governments need to make job-creation and tackling youth unemployment a priority. If they don’t, we face a lost generation as these tough economic times bite harder and harder.

"Having a degree is still a huge advantage in the job market, with unemployment among graduates lower than among school leavers or college leavers. These are very difficult times to be looking for a job but getting a degree is still very much worth it, and people shouldn't be put off in any way."

Chris Rea, employer business manager at graduate careers support service, Graduate Prospects, added: "There’s no doubt that recent graduates are having a tough time when it comes to employment. We are advising that they do everything they can to boost their CVs and long-term career prospects and it is encouraging to hear that Scottish graduates are taking positive steps and not overlooking temporary positions if full-time work is hard to find.

"As well improving the health of your bank balance, temporary work can also help you develop a wide range of valuable skills and experience to give you a competitive edge when the market improves."