Survey causes concern for graduates

The findings of a survey amongst recruiters have raised fundamental concerns about the employability of university graduates.

The research, undertaken by recruitment firm Adecco Group UK & Ireland, has shown that employers have fears about the ability of graduates to integrate themselves when entering employment as a result of a lack of basic skills, which could be due to insufficient preparation of students by universities. Adecco have urged the government, as well as educators and employers, to take greater responsibility in preparing graduates for the workplace.

Chris Moore, Managing Director of Adecco Group said: “Undeniably, Britain has one of the best and most advanced education systems in the world but it must deliver a talented, reliable graduate workforce that brings demonstrable value to UK plc. On a significant scale, employers believe it is failing to do that.”

The survey showed that 53 per cent of employers felt that university graduates had unrealistic expectations when entering employment and that 36 per cent of employers thought universities were not adequately preparing students for future employment.

Employers also identified a number of essential capabilities as lacking amongst graduates, with 41 per cent believing interpersonal skills and critical IT skills to be the most deficient. Astonishingly, it was also found that 25 per cent of employers felt that graduates did not have sufficient literacy and numeracy skills when entering the workplace.

In addition, and perhaps worryingly for graduates, the survey also found that older employees surpassed their younger counterparts when it came to a number of key principles in the workplace. In a comparison between 25- and 40-year-old recruits, it was found that only 4 per cent of employers regarded younger workers as having a better attitude towards timekeeping and productivity, with 6 per cent believing that teamwork was better amongst 25-year-olds.

However, it was found that under-25s show more entrepreneurial spirit and drive for change than their older counterparts.

Another major concern for graduates hoping to enter employment is that 43 per cent of employers are offering apprenticeships to school leavers in an attempt to integrate them into the workplace at a younger age. It was found that almost half of employers believed schemes to recruit school leavers filled a critical skills gap and that they help align employers to company policy in a more adequate way.