More new graduate jobs promised

A survey of the top 100 Higher Flyer employers suggests a planned increased in the number of new graduates they take on this year.

A nine percent recruitment rise (about 1,400 extra jobs) has been predicted.

The study, by High Fliers Research, shows the increase in entry-level graduate employment is the highest in four years among this group of employers.

Anne Wilson, head of careers, said: “We are always happy to hear that companies are looking to up their graduate intake, and we know that we’re considered to be one of the top universities for graduate recruitment so it bodes well for Warwick graduates.”

Results also suggest that many of the jobs will go to people who have already gained work experience with the organisations.

Two-thirds of the employers are offering paid work-experience programmes for students and recent graduates.

“This is an increasing trend for top recruiters to use internships as a talent pipeline.” said Ms Wilson.

Average starting salaries are £29,000 a year, with higher amounts being paid by investment banks and law firms.

The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), which represents a broad range of graduate recruiters rather than solely big employers, forecasts a slow growth in some sectors this year.

Sectors include consultancy and business services, IT and telecoms, engineering, retail and the public sector.

AGR had predicted a four percent fall in graduate vacancies in a study last year.

Sarah Marr, a final-year French undergraduate, told the Boar: “It’s good to hear and is reassuring for someone who are going to be graduating and attempting to enter the job market this summer.”

Eloise Brown, a psychology graduate, commented: “I think it is great to hear that employers will be taking on more graduates. However, this does appear to be in business-related jobs, which attract a small proportion of graduates. What about the rest of us?”

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), one in ten graduates are believed to be unemployed six months after leaving university.

About a third were working in sectors that did not require a degree.

92.3% of Warwick graduates are in employment six months after graduation.