Graduate unemployment skyrockets

Graduate unemployment has hit its highest rate in 12 years with a 44 per cent increase on last year’s figures, according to recent research.

Graduates in architecture and construction were particularly hard hit by the drought in the job market. The majority of public service jobs remain resistant to the downturn, with rises in the number of graduates entering employment in nursing, social care and teaching sectors.

Sam, a recent Economics graduate from the University of York spoke to Student Direct: Mancunion and explained some of the difficulties he faced when applying for jobs, “The main problem I have found is the lack of jobs specific to my skill set gained from university. Additionally, the lifestyle change from university to working life makes for a difficult adjustment when seeking a job.”

He added: “The government support is there but, in my experience, is far too generalised and fails to address the specific problems faced by a variety of graduates.”

However, for graduates who found employment gained, on average, a two per cent rise in their starting salaries to £19,677, according to the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU).

A 10-year higher education scheme from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills will seek to improve post-university prospects by working with businesses as well as with the university career services. The strategy’s aim is to jump start the job market in time for the current crop of final year students.