Citation
(2007), "Graduate vacancies in UK set to increase for fourth consecutive year: Association of Graduate Recruiters, UK", Education + Training, Vol. 49 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2007.00449dab.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Graduate vacancies in UK set to increase for fourth consecutive year: Association of Graduate Recruiters, UK
The AGR Graduate Recruitment Survey 2007: Winter Review, which surveyed 211 of the UK’s leading employers, reveals that the number of vacancies for graduates entering the job market in 2007 is predicted to increase by 15.1 per cent, significantly higher than last year’s actual vacancy increase of 5.2 per cent. The continued rise in vacancies is not accompanied by a similar hike in starting salaries. The median graduate starting salary is expected to rise by just 2.1 per cent to £23,431. This predicted salary increase is the lowest for six years. This increase in vacancies for graduate entry-level positions continues to provide recruiters with challenges – over 40 per cent of those surveyed anticipate difficulties in filling all positions in 2007. And despite fierce competition between recruiters for the best talent, less than 18 per cent believe shortfalls are attributable to their starting salaries not being competitive, as shown by the significantly small increase in salaries for 2007. Employers cited a number of recruitment challenges including:
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lack of applicants with the right combination of skills (e.g. team-working and leadership);
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lack of applicants with the right qualifications for specific job roles;
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issues with specific geographical locations; and
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applicants’ perceptions of the industry sector.
For more information, see: www.agr.org.uk/