Graduate Employability: What do employers think and want?
The Council for Industry and Higher Education Graduate Employability: What do employers think and want? Will Archer and Jess Davison Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 1 26/2/08 10:54:16 SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE THROUGH A SUSTAINED PARTNERSHIP Our aim is to foster close working and understanding between business and higher education so that world-class learning and research can improve the international competitiveness of both sectors and the capabilities of graduates and those already in the workforce. The Council leads in developing an agreed agenda on the higher level learning issues that affect our global competitiveness, social cohesion and individual development; commissioning research so that policy can be better based on evidence; debating our agenda and research with Government and its agencies, and working with them and other organisations to effect change. The CIHE is a Council of leading people from a wide range of businesses, universities and colleges. THE COUNCIL 8JMMJBN "SDIFS t 4JS .JDIBFM #JDIBSE t 1SPG %SVNNPOE #POF t .BZ $IJFO #VTDI t .JLF $BSS t %PNJOJD Casserley t1SPG"OUPOZ$IBQNBOt4JS)PXBSE%BWJFTt.BSUJO%BWJETPOt%S"OOFUUF%PIFSUZt1FUFS%VòZ $BSPMZO&BEJFt1SPG%BWJE&BTUXPPEt4JS3JDIBSE&WBOT$#&t3POB'BJSIFBEt1SPG+BOFU'JODI$#&t1SPG "MBO(JMCFSUt1SPG$BSPMJOF(JQQTt1SPG#SFOEB(PVSMFZt0MJWJB(SBOUt4JS"OUIPOZ(SFFOFS+PIO(SJóUI +POFTt$IBSMFT)BMMt1SPG%FJBO)PQLJOt%S(FSBMEJOF,FOOFZ8BMMBDFt3VTTFMM,JOHt4JS1FUFS-BNQM0#& 4JS.JDIBFM-BUIBN%-t5FSSZ.D(SBX***t4JS5PN.D,JMMPQt4JS3PC.BSHFUUT$#&'&OHt1FUFS.BUIFS 5JN.FMWJMMF3PTTt$IBSMFT.JMMFS4NJUIt3JDIBSE0MWFSt1SPG4IJSMFZ1FBSDFt1SPG4JS.JDIBFM1FQQFS'34 "OEZ1PXFMMt,JFSBO1PZOUFSt%S.BSUJO3FBEt1SPG"MJTPO3JDIBSEt+BNFT3PTTt4JS.VJS3VTTFMMt#SZBO 4BOEFSTPOt.BSHBSFU4BMNPOt1SPG4JS1FUFS4DPUUt%BNF3VUI4JMWFS$#&t1BVM4LJOOFSt*BO4NJUIt 1SPG$ISJTUPQIFS4OPXEFOt4JS.BSUJO4PSSFMMt4JS3JDIBSE4ZLFTt1SPG&MBJOF5IPNBTt1SPG&SJD5IPNBT t %BWJE5PNMJOTPO t 1SPG 1BVM8FMMJOHT t 1SPG 3JDL5SBJOPS t +PIO8JEEPXTPO t 1SPG %JBOOF8JMMDPDLT t 1SPG5JN8JMTPOt/JDL8JOTFS 3JDIBSE(SFFOIBMHI Chairman 3JDIBSE"#SPXO Chief Executive ,FJUI)FSNBOO Deputy Chief Executive SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS "DDFOUVSF t "OHMP "NFSJDBO QMD t "TUSB;FOFDB QMD t #"& 4ZTUFNT QMD t #( (SPVQ t #1 *OUFSOBUJPOBM QMD t #SJUJTI$PVODJM#0$(SPVQQMDt#5t$JUZ(VJMETt$*5#$POTUSVDUJPO4LJMMTt$PSVTQMDt&EHFt'JOBODJBM 5JNFT (SPVQ t (VJME )& t )4#$ #BOL QMD t JHSBEVBUF t *NQFSJBM $PMMFHF t ,BQMBO *OUFSOBUJPOBM -UE t ,FFMF6OJWFSTJUZ,JOHTUPO6OJWFSTJUZt,1.(t-FHBM(FOFSBMt-PHJDBt-POEPO4DIPPMPG&DPOPNJDTt -POEPO4PVUI#BOL6OJWFSTJUZt-PVHICPSPVHI6OJWFSTJUZt.D,JOTFZ$PNQBOZt.PSHBO4UBOMFZ$P *OUFSOBUJPOBM-UEt/BUJPOBM(SJEQMDt/FX$PMMFHF%VSIBNt0QFO6OJWFSTJUZt0SBDMF$PSQPSBUJPO6,-UE 1ö[FSt1SJDFXBUFSIPVTF$PPQFSTt2VBMJUZ$VSSJDVMVN"VUIPSJUZt3JP5JOUPQMDt3PZBM#BOLPG4DPUMBOE QMDt4DPUUJTI1PXFSQMDt4FDUPS4LJMMT%FWFMPQNFOU"HFODZt4IFMM*OUFSOBUJPOBM-UEt4QFODFS4UVBSU5IF 4VUUPO5SVTUt5FTDPQMDt5PTIJCB3FTFBSDI&VSPQF-UEt6OJUFE6UJMJUJFTt6OJWFSTJUZPGUIF"SUT-POEPO t 6OJWFSTJUZ PG #SJTUPM t 6OJWFSTJUZ PG $BNCSJEHF t 6OJWFSTJUZ PG (MBTHPX t 6OJWFSTJUZ PG )FSUGPSETIJSF t 6OJWFSTJUZPG.BODIFTUFSt6OJWFSTJUZPG/FXDBTUMFt6OJWFSTJUZPG4VSSFZt6OJWFSTJUZPG8BMFTPG*OTUJUVUF $BSEJòt6OJWFSTJUZPG8PMWFSIBNQUPOt6OJWFSTJUJFT6,t811(SPVQQMDt:PSL4U+PIOT6OJWFSTJUZ Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 2 26/2/08 10:54:16 Graduate Employability The views of employers “The value of [a student’s] international experience goes beyond purely the acquisition of language - it lies in the ability to see business and personal issues from other than your own cultural perspective.” Charles Macleod, Head of UK Resourcing, PricewaterhouseCoopers Authors: Will Archer and Jess Davison with editorial support from Richard Brown and Keith Herrmann © The Council for Industry and Higher Education, 2008 5IF$PVODJM'PS*OEVTUSZBOE)JHIFS&EVDBUJPO 4UVEJP5JHFS)PVTF #VSUPO4USFFU-POEPO 8$)#: 5FM'BY [email protected] www.cihe-uk.com The Council for Industry and Higher Education is a company limited by guarantee 1IPUPDSFEJUT'SPOUDPWFSQJDUVSFTDPVSUFTZPGJHSBEVBUF8FBSFHSBUFGVMGPSUIFJSQFSNJTTJPOUPVTFUIFTFJNBHFT Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 3 26/2/08 10:54:17 Contents 1. Introduction 6 2. Skills and capabilities: importance and satisfaction 7 3. International organisations 10 4. Recruitment media 11 5. University careers services 12 6. Recommendations 13 Organisations 16 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 4 26/2/08 10:54:17 Graduate Employability - the views of employers Foreword Employers value graduates who have a global perspective ... he CIHE series of reports on international competitiveness have all stressed that our economic future rests on JOOPWBUJPOBOEEFMJWFSJOHIJHIWBMVFBEEFEHPPETBOETFSWJDFT6OJWFSTJUJFTMJFBUUIFIFBSUPGPVSLOPXMFEHF intensive future through their development of knowledge, graduates, senior management talent and through helping UPEFWFMPQUIFXPSLGPSDF(SBEVBUFTXJMMQMBZBWJUBMSPMFJODSFBUJOHXFBMUIBOEVOEFSQJOOJOHUIF6,TJOUFSOBUJPOBM competitiveness. T In this “race to the top”2 PVS SFQPSU POA%FHSFFT PG 4LJMM3 notes how students of all disciplines can develop highly marketable, work related skills during their higher education, skills of tangible and immediate value to employers. 4VDITLJMMTBSFBDRVJSFEUISPVHIMFBSOJOHPOEFHSFFDPVSTFTBTXFMMBTMFBSOJOHUISPVHIXPSLFYQFSJFODFBOEFYUSB DVSSJDVMBSBDUJWJUJFT6OJWFSTJUJFTBOEUIFJSDBSFFSTFSWJDFTBSFXPSLJOHUPIFMQUIFJSTUVEFOUTCFUUFSVOEFSTUBOEBOE BSUJDVMBUFUIFTLJMMTUIFZIBWF/PUXJUITUBOEJOHUIJTJUXPVMEBQQFBSUIBUNBOZFNQMPZFSTBSFOPUTBUJTöFEXJUIUIF TLJMMT HSBEVBUFT CSJOH UP UIF XPSLQMBDF 3FTFBSDI CZ UIF $#* shows that almost a third of employers (30%) have QSPCMFNTXJUIHSBEVBUFTHFOFSJDFNQMPZBCJMJUZTLJMMTTVDIBTUFBNXPSLJOHDPNNVOJDBUJPOBOEQSPCMFNTPMWJOH &NQMPZFSTBSFBMTPEJTBQQPJOUFEXJUIHSBEVBUFTBUUJUVEFUPXPSL TFMGNBOBHFNFOU CVTJOFTTBXBSFOFTT BOEGPSFJHOMBOHVBHFTLJMMT Aside from generic employability we also need to recognise that employers are increasingly going global, and hence OFFEHSBEVBUFTXIPIBWFFYQFSJFODFPGEJòFSFOUDPVOUSJFTBOEDVMUVSFTBOETPDBOEFBMXJUIPWFSTFBTDVTUPNFST BOEDMJFOUT#VU6,TUVEFOUTBSFMFTTMJLFMZUPIBWFUIFTFFYQFSJFODFToGFXFSTUVEFOUTTUVEZBCSPBEUIBOQSFWJPVTMZ 4PUIFSFJTBNJTNBUDICFUXFFOXIBUCVTJOFTTFTOFFEBOEXIBUHSBEVBUFTPòFS5IFOVNCFSPG&OHMJTITUVEFOUT HPJOHPO&VSPQFBOTUVEZTDIFNFTIBTGBMMFOGSPNUPJOUIFMBTUUFOZFBST#ZDPNQBSJTPOFBDIZFBSPWFS (FSNBOBOE'SFODITUVEFOUTHBJOPWFSTFBTTUVEZFYQFSJFODF0VSSFQPSUTPO(MPCBM)PSJ[POT suggest how universities might encourage greater student mobility and greater cross-cultural integration on campus. 5IJTSFQPSUIJHIMJHIUTUIFöOEJOHTGSPNBQJMPUTVSWFZPGFNQMPZFSTBOETIPXTUIBUUIFSFJTBOFFEGPSBDUJPOCZ VOJWFSTJUJFTFNQMPZFSTTUVEFOUTBOEHPWFSONFOUUPBEESFTTCPUIUIFSFBMJUZBOEQFSDFQUJPOPGUIFTLJMMTEFöDJUJOPVS graduates. The report reinforces the perceived importance of such generic skills as team working and communication skills. It distinguishes between the skills needs of international and non-international businesses and that of small, NFEJVNBOEMBSHFDPNQBOJFT5IFöOEJOHTGSPNCPUIMBSHFBOETNBMMDPNQBOJFTTIPXTUIBUXPSLFYQFSJFODFJTWJUBM UP FOIBODJOH HSBEVBUFT FNQMPZBCJMJUZ TLJMMT *U JT UIVT JNQPSUBOU GPS CVTJOFTT TFDUPST UP CF NPSF DMFBS DPOTJTUFOU BOEFòFDUJWFJOTJHOBMMJOHUIFJSSFRVJSFNFOUTUPTUVEFOUTBOEVOJWFSTJUJFT8FIPQFUIJTSFTFBSDIXJMMBEEWBMVFUP the debate on the high levels skills agenda, but also help HEIs to address the needs of business to ensure that our HSBEVBUFTBSFFRVJQQFEXJUIUIFTLJMMTBOEFYQFSJFODFTUIFZOFFEUPDPNQFUFJOUIFiSBDFUPUIFUPQw We are most grateful to our partner i-graduate for undertaking this study. We would both welcome suggestions on how future surveys can be even more informative and useful. February 2008 /PUBCMZ3JDIBSE#SPXOBOE1IJMJQ5FSOPVUIA*OUFSOBUJPOBM$PNQFUJUJWFOFTT#VTJOFTTFT8PSLJOHXJUI6,6OJWFSTJUJFT$*)&.BZ3JDIBSE#SPXO*OUFSOBUJPOBM $PNQFUJUJWFOFTT$PNQFUJUJWFOFTTBOEUIF3PMFPG6OJWFSTJUJFT$*)&"QSJM 2 -PSE4BJOTCVSZPG5VSWJMMFA5IF3BDFUPUIF5PQB3FWJFXPG(PWFSONFOUT4DJFODFBOE*OOPWBUJPO1PMJDJFT0DUPCFS 3 1FUFS'PSCFTBOE#JBODB,VCMFSA%FHSFFTPG4LJMM4UVEFOU&NQMPZBCJMJUZ1SPöMFT$*)&(SBEVBUF1SPTQFDUTBOE)JHIFS&EVDBUJPO"DBEFNZ $#*1FSUFNQTA&NQMPZNFOU5SFOET4VSWFZ +PIO'JFMEFOA(MPCBM)PSJ[POT*OUFSOBUJPOBMJTJOH)JHIFS&EVDBUJPO$*)&BOE+PIO'JFMEFO1SPG3PCJO.JEEMFIVSTUBOE4UFWF8PPEöFMEA(MPCBM)PSJ[POTGPS 6,4UVEFOUT"HVJEFGPS6OJWFSTJUJFT$*)& 5 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 5 26/2/08 10:54:17 Graduate Employability - the views of employers Graduate Employability What do employers think and want? Summary » 86% of employers consider good communication skills to be important, yet many FNQMPZFSTBSFEJTTBUJTöFEUIBUHSBEVBUFTDBOFYQSFTTUIFNTFMWFTFòFDUJWFMZ » A4PGU TLJMMT TVDI BT UFBN XPSLJOH BSF BMTP WJUBM BOE FWFO NPSF JNQPSUBOU UIBO NPTU AIBSETLJMMTBMUIPVHIOVNFSBDZBOEMJUFSBDZTLJMMTBSFDPOTJEFSFEFTTFOUJBMCZPG employers. » PG JOUFSOBUJPOBM FNQMPZFST JOEJDBUF UIBU IBWJOH PWFSTFBT QSPGFTTJPOBM XPSL FYQFSJFODFNBLFTHSBEVBUFTNPSFFNQMPZBCMF » 0OMJOFSFDSVJUNFOUJTUIFNPTUGSFRVFOUMZVTFEBOENPTUFòFDUJWFNFUIPEPGHSBEVBUF recruitment. 1. Introduction 5IF *OUFSOBUJPOBM &NQMPZFS #BSPNFUFS *&# JT BO JOEFQFOEFOU TUVEZ XIJDI QSPWJEFT JOTJHIUT into the needs and perceptions of graduate recruiters by monitoring the opinions of employers from large multinationals to small companies across a range of sectors6. It surveys which skills FNQMPZFSTWBMVFNPTUIJHIMZBNPOHHSBEVBUFTJODMVEJOHATPGUBOEAIBSETLJMMTBOENFBTVSFT satisfaction ratings on how far graduates demonstrate these capabilities. It also surveys which NFUIPETPGSFDSVJUNFOUFNQMPZFSTöOEUIFNPTUVTFGVMBOEFòFDUJWF *U JT JNQPSUBOU UIBU TVDI JOGPSNBUJPO JT BOBMZTFE CZ TJ[F PG DPNQBOZOVNCFS PG HSBEVBUFT FNQMPZFEBTUIFOFFETPGMBSHFDPNQBOJFTEJòFSGSPNUIPTFPGTNBMMPOFT&RVBMMZUIFOFFETPG BOJOUFSOBUJPOBMDPNQBOZXJMMEJòFSUPPOFUIBUEPFTOPUUSBEFJOUFSOBUJPOBMMZ4VSWFZTUIBUEP OPUNBLFUIJTEJTUJODUJPODBOMFBEUPEJòFSFOUDPODMVTJPOT&RVBMMZUIPTFUIBUEPOPUEJTUJOHVJTI CFUXFFOUIFTLJMMTPGTDIPPMMFBWFSTBOEHSBEVBUFTDBOCMVSUIFQJDUVSF'PSFYBNQMFCZGBJMJOHUP distinguish between those international companies with an increased preference for graduates XJUI PWFSTFBT QSPGFTTJPOBM XPSL FYQFSJFODF BOE UIPTF SFDSVJUJOH GSPN B XJEFS QPPM XF NBZ GBJMUPSFDPHOJTFUIFEJòFSFOUTLJMMTFUTCFUXFFOHSBEVBUFTBOETDIPPMMFBWFST4VDIBOVBODFE BQQSPBDI UP VOEFSTUBOEJOH UIF FNQMPZBCJMJUZ SFRVJSFNFOUT PG FNQMPZFST JT OFDFTTBSZ UP BO informed debate about the employability skills of potential employees at all levels. 3FTQPOTFT XFSF SFDFJWFE GSPN FNQMPZFST SFQSFTFOUJOH PWFS FNQMPZFFT 0G UIF DPNQBOJFTTVSWFZFEXFSFTNBMMDPNQBOJFTXJUIGFXFSUIBOFNQMPZFFT DBNF GSPNDPNQBOJFTXJUICFUXFFOBOEFNQMPZFFTBOEXFSFGSPNMBSHFPSHBOJTBUJPOT XJUIPWFSFNQMPZFFT)FODFUIFTVSWFZDBQUVSFTWJFXTGSPNBXJEFWBSJFUZPGDPNQBOJFT highlighting views from both large and small companies. The number of small companies participating in the survey is most welcome and highlights the importance of graduate SFDSVJUNFOUUPUIFTFöSNT Chart 1: Response by size of organisation (total number of employees) FNQMPZFFT 30% FNQMPZFFT FNQMPZFFT 27% 5IF*OUFSOBUJPOBM&NQMPZFS#BSPNFUFS*&# JTEFTJHOFEBOESVOCZUIF*OUFSOBUJPOBM(SBEVBUF*OTJHIU(SPVQJHSBEVBUF BOEUIJTQJMPU TUVEZXBTDPNQMFUFEJO0DUPCFSCZ.JMLSPVOE0OMJOFJOBTTPDJBUJPOXJUIUIF$PVODJMGPS*OEVTUSZBOE)JHIFS&EVDBUJPO$*)& 6 6 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 6 26/2/08 10:54:18 Graduate Employability - the views of employers $IBSUIJHIMJHIUTUIBUPGSFTQPOEFOUTXFSFJOWPMWFEJOHSBEVBUFSFDSVJUNFOUJOBDPNQBOZ with no international dealings. Almost two thirds of employers had some international customers PSTVQQMJFSTJOUFSOBUJPOBMQBSUOFSTPSPWFSTFBTPó DFTPSTVCTJEJBSJFTXIJMTUSFQSFTFOUFEB DPNQBOZ XJUI BO JOUFSOBUJPOBM QBSFOU5IF JOWPMWFNFOU JO JOUFSOBUJPOBM USBEF PG B TJHOJöDBOU number of surveyed companies, both large and small, no doubt has an effect on the views of SFTQPOEFOUTSFHBSEJOHUIFJNQPSUBODFBUUBDIFEUPUIFJOUFSOBUJPOBMFYQFSJFODFBOETLJMMTTFUT SFRVJSFEPGHSBEVBUFTUPXPSLJOUIFTFUZQFTPGDPNQBOJFT Chart 2: Response by degree of international dealings /PJOUFSOBUJPOBMEFBMJOHT Has an international parent 4PNFJOUFSOBUJPOBMEFBMJOHT 62% 2. Skills and capabilities: importance and satisfaction Employers were asked to indicate the skills and capabilities they considered important when SFDSVJUJOHOFXHSBEVBUFT5BCMFCFMPXDBQUVSFTUIFAUPQTLJMMTBOEDBQBCJMJUJFTUIFZDPOTJEFS JNQPSUBOU*OUFSFTUJOHMZUIFWJFXTBSFGBJSMZTJNJMBSBDSPTTUIFTJ[FPGDPNQBOZXJUISFTQPOEFOUT GSPNMBSHFBOETNBMMDPNQBOJFTQSJPSJUJTJOHUIFJNQPSUBODFPGATPGUTLJMMTPWFSUFDIOJDBMPSAIBSE skills. Table 1: Top 10 most important skills and capabilities when recruiting new graduates, by size of organisation: Total number of employees Communication skills “1-99” “100-999” “1000+” Grand Total 88% 86% 82% 86% Team-working skills Integrity 86% 82% 83% Intellectual ability 78% $POöEFODF 80% 78% 80% $IBSBDUFSQFSTPOBMJUZ 60% 1MBOOJOHPSHBOJTBUJPOBMTLJMMT 72% -JUFSBDZHPPEXSJUJOHTLJMMT 68% 72% /VNFSBDZHPPEXJUIOVNCFST 68% 67% 68% "OBMZTJTEFDJTJPONBLJOHTLJMMT 67% 73% 67% 5IF *&# TVSWFZ DPOöSNT UIBU NPTU FNQMPZFST WJFX TPDJBM TLJMMT BOE QFSTPOBMJUZ UZQF BT NPSF JNQPSUBOUUIBOUIFJSEFHSFFRVBMJöDBUJPOTSBUFBAHPPEEFHSFFRVBMJöDBUJPOBTJNQPSUBOU BOE *5 TLJMMT DPOTJEFS UIFTF JNQPSUBOU A4PGU TLJMMT JODMVEJOH DPNNVOJDBUJPO TLJMMT BOE UFBNXPSLJOHBSFUIFNPTUJNQPSUBOUDBQBCJMJUJFTTPVHIUBNPOHOFXHSBEVBUFTXJUIPWFS PGFNQMPZFSTSFHBSEJOHUIFTFBTJNQPSUBOU5IFTFöOEJOHTBSFOPUOFXoNBOZPUIFSTJNJMBS surveys on graduate employability highlight some of the same issues. Even if one goes back to UIFTFNJOBMSFQPSU7CZUIF"TTPDJBUJPOPG(SBEVBUF3FDSVJUFST"(3 XFöOEUIBUFNQMPZFST DPOTJEFSUIFTFTLJMMTUPCFJNQPSUBOU.PSFSFDFOUSFQPSUTCZUIF$#*UIF"(3BOEUIF/$8& /BUJPOBM$PVODJMGPS8PSL&YQFSJFODF öOETJNJMBSFNQMPZFSWJFXT "TTPDJBUJPOPG(SBEVBUF3FDSVJUFST"(3 oA4LJMMTGPS(SBEVBUFTJOUIFTU$FOUVSZ 7 7 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 7 26/2/08 10:54:18 Graduate Employability - the views of employers 8IBUJTPGTJHOJöDBODFUPUIJTSFTFBSDICZJHSBEVBUFJTB JUFYQSFTTFTWJFXTGSPNBXJEFSBOHF PGTJ[FPGDPNQBOZBOEC DPNFTBUBKVODUVSFJOUJNFXIFOXFBSFDPOTJEFSJOHUIFJNQMJDBUJPOT GSPN UIF -FJUDI 3FWJFX PO TLJMMT BOE UIF 4BJOTCVSZ 3FWJFX PO TDJFODF BOE JOOPWBUJPO5IFTF UXPSFQPSUTQPTJUJPOUIFEFCBUFBCPVUIJHIMFWFMHSBEVBUF TLJMMTJOUIFDPOUFYUPGUIFHMPCBM DPNQFUJUJWFOFTTPGUIF6,FDPOPNZBOEUIFOFFEUPGPDVTPOIJHIMFWFMTLJMMTJOSFTQPOTFUPUIF demands and needs of knowledge intensive businesses which are usually packed full of graduates. *OUIFGVUVSFHSBEVBUFMFWFMTLJMMTXJMMCFDPNFJODSFBTJOHMZJNQPSUBOUUPFNQMPZFST5IFöOEJOHT IFSFJMMVTUSBUFUIBUVOJWFSTJUJFTOFFEUPFRVJQHSBEVBUFTXJUIAEFFQJOUFMMFDUVBMDBQBCJMJUJFTBOEB CBUUFSZPGBQQMJFEQSBDUJDBMTLJMMTXIJDINBLFUIFNNPSFAXPSLSFBEZ 5IF/$8&8PSL&YQFSJFODF4VSWFZJO8FYBNJOFEFNQMPZFSTBUUJUVEFTBOEQSBDUJDFTSFHBSEJOH XPSL FYQFSJFODF GPS TUVEFOUT5IF SFTVMUT DPOöSN UIBU XIFSF FNQMPZFST EP HFU JOWPMWFE XJUI PòFSJOHXPSLFYQFSJFODFPQQPSUVOJUJFTUIFSFBSFTQFDJöDCVTJOFTTCFOFöUTUPUIFN&WFOXIFO SFDSVJUJOH GPS QMBDFNFOUT FNQMPZFST BUUBDI HSFBUFS JNQPSUBODF UP TUVEFOUT PSBM BOE XSJUUFO communication skills as the most important attributes, with 67% of respondents stating this. *OUFSFTUJOHMZ UIF JHSBEVBUF *&# TVSWFZ GPVOE UIBU UIF AIBSE TLJMMT PG MJUFSBDZ BOE OVNFSBDZ were ranked 8thBOEthJOUFSNTPGJNQPSUBODFWJFXFEBTTJHOJöDBOUCZBQQSPYJNBUFMZPG FNQMPZFSTXIJMTUJOEJDBUFE*5TLJMMTBSFJNQPSUBOU*UDPVMECFBSHVFEUIPVHIUIBUUIFTFTLJMMT are “considered a given” by graduate recruiters and thus not highly ranked. Although this may be the case, employers rate the ability to work as part of a team as the second most important TLJMMSFHBSEMFTTPGUIFTJ[FPGPSHBOJTBUJPO*ODPOUSBTUMFBEFSTIJQTLJMMTSBOLth)PXFWFSTJ[F PG PSHBOJTBUJPO IBT B CFBSJOH PO TPNF öOEJOHT PG MBSHF PSHBOJTBUJPOT WJFX MFBEFSTIJQ TLJMMTBTJNQPSUBOUDPNQBSFEXJUIKVTUPGTNBMMDPNQBOJFT%FTQJUFUIJTFNQIBTJTPOATPGU TLJMMTFNQMPZFSTPGBMMTJ[FTSBOLAJOUFMMFDUVBMBCJMJUZGPVSUIPOUIFMJTUBOEUIVTUIFFYQFDUBUJPO UIBUVOJWFSTJUJFTJNCVFUIFJSHSBEVBUFTXJUIDSJUJDBMUIJOLJOHTLJMMTBOEEFFQTVCKFDULOPXMFEHF DBOOPUCFJHOPSFE5IFTFöOEJOHTBSFOPUEJTQVUJOHUIFJNQPSUBODFPGTVCKFDULOPXMFEHFCVU IJHIMJHIUUIFBEEJUJPOBMWBMVFFNQMPZFSTBSFMPPLJOHGPSJOUFSNTPGFRVJQQJOHHSBEVBUFTXJUIB skill set that makes them more employable. The survey also found that it seems to be more important for graduates to possess a ‘good DIBSBDUFSQFSTPOBMJUZJOBTNBMMDPNQBOZPGTNBMMDPNQBOJFTWJFXQFSTPOBMJUZBTJNQPSUBOU DPNQBSFE XJUI MBSHF FNQMPZFST PG XIPN SBUF JU BT JNQPSUBOUi'JUUJOH JOw JT FTQFDJBMMZ important in small teams. Employers were asked to rate their satisfaction with new graduates against these skills and capabilities: Table 2: Top 10 capabilities employers are most satisfied with and their importance ranking: Importance Rank Satisfaction Rank IT skills "QPTUHSBEVBUFRVBMJöDBUJPO 33 2 (PPEEFHSFFDMBTTJöDBUJPO 3 2VBMJöDBUJPOGSPNBOJOTUJUVUJPOXJUIBHPPESFQVUBUJPO 26 Intellectual ability $IBSBDUFSQFSTPOBMJUZ 6 6 Team-working skills 2 7 3FMFWBOUDPVSTFPGTUVEZ 20 8 Integrity 3 $VMUVSBMöUXJUIZPVSDPNQBOZ )JHIMFWFMTPGTBUJTGBDUJPOXFSFTFFOXJUI*5TLJMMTBOEUIFEFHSFFDMBTTJöDBUJPOSFMFWBODFBOE SFQVUBUJPOPGRVBMJöDBUJPOTBDIJFWFECZHSBEVBUFT)PXFWFSXIJMFDPNNVOJDBUJPOTLJMMTXFSF SBOLFEUIFNPTUJNQPSUBOUTLJMMUIFZXFSFPOMZSBOLFEth in terms of employer satisfaction. It BQQFBSTUIBUXIJMFNBOZHSBEVBUFTIPMETBUJTGBDUPSZRVBMJöDBUJPOTUIFZBSFMBDLJOHJOUIFLFZ ATPGUTLJMMTBOERVBMJUJFTUIBUFNQMPZFSTJODSFBTJOHMZOFFEJOBNPSFDVTUPNFSGPDVTFEXPSME 8 /BUJPOBM$PVODJMGPS8PSL&YQFSJFODF/$8& A8PSL&YQFSJFODF4VSWFZ 8 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 8 26/2/08 10:54:18 Graduate Employability - the views of employers “We are experiencing a lot of applications from candidates who are lacking in communication skills, who do not possess the ability to sell themselves in an interview.” HR Manager, Monarch Recruitment 5IFMBSHFTUTBUJTGBDUJPOHBQTBSFPODPNNFSDJBMBXBSFOFTTBOESFMFWBOUXPSLFYQFSJFODF5IJT JTQBSUJDVMBSMZXPSSZJOHJOMJHIUPGUIFFWJEFODFGSPNB)JHIFS&EVDBUJPO$BSFFST4FSWJDFT6OJU )&$46 SFQPSUCZ-JUUMFBOE)BSWFZUIBUGPVOEUIBUTJODFUIFSFIBTCFFOBTUFBEZEFDMJOF JOUIFOVNCFSPGVOEFSHSBEVBUFTUBLJOHVQQMBDFNFOUTJOCPUIQSFBOEQPTUVOJWFSTJUJFT 5IFSFBSFNBOZSFBTPOTGPSUIJTEFDMJOFoCPUIGSPNTUVEFOUTBOEFNQMPZFSTTFFGPSFYBNQMFUIF -POEPO.FUSPQPMJUBO6OJWFSTJUZSFTFBSDIRVPUFEJOUIF)&$46SFQPSU )PXFWFSUIFEJóDVMUJFT of securing suitable placements for the ever increasing numbers of students entering higher education should not be downplayed. It is this point that we return to later, suggesting that FNQMPZFSTDBOUIFNTFMWFTEPNPSFUPIFMQTUVEFOUTBEESFTTUIFBGPSFNFOUJPOFEEFöDJFODJFTJO skills sets highlighted in the data. Action is also needed to address the lack of take up in student placements with industry. 5IF*&#öOEJOHTBSFQBSUJDVMBSMZJOUFSFTUJOHJOMJHIUPGBSFDFOU*OTUJUVUFPG%JSFDUPST*P% SFQPSU XIJDI IJHIMJHIUT UIF GPMMPXJOHAUPQ UFO TLJMMT BOE RVBMJUJFT *P% NFNCFST SBUFE BT CFJOH NPTU JNQPSUBOUGPSSFDFOUHSBEVBUFTUPQPTTFTT)POFTUZBOEJOUFHSJUZ#BTJDMJUFSBDZTLJMMT#BTJDPSBM DPNNVOJDBUJPOTLJMMTFHUFMFQIPOFTLJMMT 3FMJBCJMJUZ#FJOHIBSEXPSLJOHBOEIBWJOHBHPPE XPSLFUIJD/VNFSBDZTLJMMT"QPTJUJWFADBOEPBUUJUVEF1VODUVBMJUZ5IFBCJMJUZUPNFFUEFBEMJOFT and Team working and co-operation skills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“… IoD members whose organisations recruit graduates tend to think highly of their overall quality. They set great store by graduates’ employability skills when recruiting and, broadly speaking, are complimentary about what they see in their recruits... There are, though, areas of concern, particularly on the basic skills front where there are clearly problems ... although equally clear is the acceptance that businesses have a central role in working with the education system to help develop students’ employability skills”. 5IFTF öOEJOHT BOE UIPTF PG UIF $#* IJHIMJHIU UIF EJóDVMUJFT PG SFTFBSDI JO UIJT öFME 5IJT JHSBEVBUF TVSWFZ IBT SFWFBMFE B EJòFSFOU MJTU PGAUPQ UFO TLJMMT BOE DBQBCJMJUJFT XJUI EJòFSFOU emphasis on the importance attached to these skills and the levels of satisfaction by business. To TPNFFYUFOUUIFEJòFSFODFTSFøFDUEJòFSFOUUZQFTPGCVTJOFTTFTBOEUPTPNFFYUFOUUIFWJFXT PG UIF QFSTPO SFTQPOEJOH 4P GPS FYBNQMF B SFDFOU SFQPSU by the Council on International &EVDBUJPOBM &YDIBOHF $*&& PO PWFSTFBT TUVEZ OPUFT UIBU )3 QSPGFTTJPOBMT BSF NPSF MJLFMZ UP value graduates who have studied abroad over others when searching for graduate talent for future senior management positions because they are looking for future business leaders. As UIFOFYUTFUPGöOEJOHTTIPXUIFSFDMFBSMZBSFTBUJTGBDUJPOHBQTCVUSBUIFSUIBOKVTUIJHIMJHIUJOH these, businesses and universities need to consider how they can better work together to address them. #SFOEB-JUUMFBOE-FF)BSWFZA-FBSOJOH5ISPVHI8PSL1MBDFNFOUTBOE#FZPOEBSFQPSUGPS)&$46BOEUIF)JHIFS&EVDBUJPO"DBEFNZT 8PSL1MBDFNFOUT0SHBOJTBUJPO'PSVN+VMZ A(SBEVBUF&NQMPZBCJMJUZ4LJMMT*OTUJUVUFPG%JSFDUPST4LJMMT#SJFöOH%FDFNCFS 4UFWF5SPPCPò.JDL7BOEF#FSHBOE+BDL3BZNBOA&NQMPZFS"UUJUVEFTUPXBSE4UVEZ"CSPBEJO'SPOUJFST5IF*OUFSEJTDJQMJOBSZ+PVSOBM PG4UVEZ"CSPBE7PM978JOUFS 9 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 9 26/2/08 10:54:19 Graduate Employability - the views of employers Table 3: Largest importance–satisfaction gaps in capabilities of new graduates: Importance Rank Satisfaction Rank Commercial awareness 33 Gap -20 Analysis and decision-making skills 26 Communication skills -JUFSBDZHPPEXSJUJOHTLJMMT 8 23 1BTTJPO 3FMFWBOUXPSLFYQFSJFODF 30 1MBOOJOHBOEPSHBOJTBUJPOBMTLJMMT 7 $POöEFODF -8 1FSTPOBMEFWFMPQNFOUTLJMMT 28 -7 8IJMTUBHPPEEFHSFFDMBTTJöDBUJPOJTDPOTJEFSFEJNQPSUBOUCZPGFNQMPZFSTKVTUPG employers placed high importance on the reputation of the university itself. When asked to JOEJDBUFXIBUUIFZDPOTJEFSFEUPCFBAHPPEEFHSFFPGHSBEVBUFSFDSVJUFSTUIPVHIUBPS higher was a good degree. “What I consider to be a good degree classification varies from university to university. Also there is a difference between a high 2.1 and a low 2.1; I would say that a high 2.1 from a reputable university was a good degree.” HR Manager, International law firm 3. International organisations When seeking to employ new graduates, it seems that international organisations are generally MPPLJOH GPS TJNJMBS TLJMMT UP DPNQBOJFT CBTFE POMZ JO UIF 6, "MM UZQFT PG PSHBOJTBUJPO SFHBSE communication skills as important, and team-working skills seem especially important for companies with an international parent. International companies value a good degree DMBTTJöDBUJPONPSFIJHIMZ UIBODPNQBOJFTXJUIOPJOUFSOBUJPOBMEFBMJOHT -JUFSBDZ OVNFSBDZ*5TLJMMTBOEBHPPEEFHSFFDMBTTJöDBUJPOBSFBMTPTFFOBTMFTTJNQPSUBOUCZ6,POMZ employers; it appears companies with no international dealings are less discerning about the RVBMJUZ PG HSBEVBUFT UIBU UIFZ FNQMPZ XIFSFBT JOUFSOBUJPOBM PSHBOJTBUJPOT HFOFSBMMZ TFFL B higher calibre of employee. Table 4: Top 10 most important skills and capabilities when recruiting new graduates, by degree of internationalisation of organisation: Has an international parent company Some international dealings No international dealings Grand Total Communication skills 82% 87% 86% 86% Team-working skills 82% 88% Integrity 76% 83% Intellectual ability 87% 67% $POöEFODF 80% $IBSBDUFSQFSTPOBMJUZ 73% 88% 1MBOOJOHBOEPSHBOJTBUJPOBMTLJMMT 70% 86% -JUFSBDZHPPEXSJUJOHTLJMMT 67% 77% 60% /VNFSBDZHPPEXJUIOVNCFST 73% 62% 68% Analysis and decision-making skills 76% 67% "T XPVME CF FYQFDUFE B HSFBUFS OVNCFS PG FNQMPZFST GSPN DPNQBOJFT XJUI JOUFSOBUJPOBM dealings or with an international parent indicated that they saw international mobility and MBOHVBHFTLJMMTBTJNQPSUBOUDBQBCJMJUJFTJOBOFXHSBEVBUFPGFNQMPZFSTDPOTJEFSMBOHVBHF TLJMMTBOJNQPSUBOUDBQBCJMJUZBNPOHOFXHSBEVBUFTUIJTSJTFTUPNPSFUIBOBRVBSUFS GPS NVMUJOBUJPOBMFNQMPZFSTJODMVEJOHUIPTFXJUIPWFSTFBTPóDFTTVCTJEJBSJFTQBSUOFSTDVTUPNFST 10 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 10 26/2/08 10:54:19 Graduate Employability - the views of employers PS TVQQMJFST 1FSIBQT OPU TVSQSJTJOHMZ POMZ PG 6,POMZ DPNQBOJFT WBMVFE MBOHVBHF TLJMMT IJHIMZ&RVBMMZXIFUIFSUIFHSBEVBUFBUUFOEFEBVOJWFSTJUZXIJDIHBWFUIFNBOJOUFSOBUJPOBM FYQPTVSFJTPGHSFBUFSWBMVFGPSDPNQBOJFTXJUIJOUFSOBUJPOBMEFBMJOHTPGFNQMPZFSTXJUI BOJOUFSOBUJPOBMQBSFOUWBMVFBEFHSFFGSPNTVDIBVOJWFSTJUZXIFSFBTOPSFTQPOEFOUTGSPN6, only companies indicated that this was an aspect of a degree they would consider important. 8IFOBTLFEUPDPNQBSFB6,HSBEVBUFXIPIBEDPNQMFUFEUIFJSGVMMEFHSFFPWFSTFBTBHBJOTU B6,FEVDBUFEHSBEVBUFXJUIUIFTBNFBDBEFNJDRVBMJöDBUJPOTPOFJOTJYFNQMPZFSTJOEJDBUFE completing a full degree overseas made the candidate more employable. One third of employers WJFXFEBHSBEVBUFXJUIBOZPWFSTFBTTUVEZFYQFSJFODFBTNPSFFNQMPZBCMF&NQMPZFSTWJFXFE QSPGFTTJPOBMXPSLFYQFSJFODFPWFSTFBTBTWFSZEFTJSBCMFCZFNQMPZFSTXJUIPGFNQMPZFST JOEJDBUJOHUIBUIBWJOHUIJTFYQFSJFODFXPVMENBLFUIFDBOEJEBUFNPSFFNQMPZBCMF “Within BT’s research community of 300 people, 39 different nationalities are represented - and almost every member of the team has worked internationally. Our cultural diversity and international experience is a significant benefit as we pursue open innovation opportunities across the globe.” Ivan Boyd General Manager, Research, BT Group Chief Technology Office “Any graduate with additional life experience, whether it be working overseas or within the UK is considered to have added value. It shows they have developed some skills which can be useful for the role we are recruiting for either directly or transferably.” Project Manager, Recruitment Agency 4. Recruitment media 5IFTVSWFZBMTPBTLFEBOVNCFSPGXJEFSBOHJOHRVFTUJPOTSFMBUFEUPUIFHSBEVBUFSFDSVJUNFOU process which employers use. Employers were asked which methods they use for graduate SFDSVJUNFOUBOEIPXFòFDUJWFUIFZGPVOEFBDINFEJB6OTVSQSJTJOHMZPOMJOFSFDSVJUNFOUXBT OBNFE BT UIF NPTU GSFRVFOUMZ VTFE BOE NPTU FòFDUJWF NFUIPE PG SFDSVJUNFOU XJUI PG FNQMPZFSTTUBUJOHUIFZVTFPOMJOFSFDSVJUNFOUBOEWBMVJOHJUBTFòFDUJWF Table 5: Percentage of employers who use graduate recruitment media and ratings of effectiveness: % Use % Effective 0OMJOF3FDSVJUNFOU.FEJB 3FDSVJUNFOU'BJST 78% $BSFFST"EWJTPSZ4FSWJDFT 78% 3FDSVJUNFOU"HFODJFT 78% 72% "OOVBM%JSFDUPSJFT 66% 4UVEFOU.BHB[JOFT 60% 0OMJOFSFDSVJUNFOUTFFNTUPCFXPSLJOHXFMMGPSMBSHFPSHBOJTBUJPOTJOQBSUJDVMBSXJUIPG SFTQPOEFOUTGSPNMBSHFDPNQBOJFTEFTDSJCJOHJUBTAFòFDUJWFPSAWFSZFòFDUJWFDPNQBSFEXJUI PGSFTQPOEFOUTGSPNTNBMMBOENFEJVNFOUFSQSJTFT4.&T 6OJWFSTBMBDDFTTUPUFDIOPMPHZ BOEUIFSFMBUJWFJOFYQFOTFPGPOMJOFSFDSVJUNFOUIBTIFMQFE4.&T"MUIPVHIUIFTJYDBUFHPSJFT IJHIMJHIUFEJO5BCMFXFSFTQFDJöDBMMZDPWFSFEJOUIFTVSWFZBTNBMMOVNCFSPGDPNQBOJFT BMTPNFOUJPOFEVTJOHPUIFSSFDSVJUNFOUNFUIPETTVDIBTXPSEPGNPVUIKPCBEWFSUTVOJWFSTJUZ WJTJUTSFDPNNFOEBUJPOTGSPNTUBòBOETQPOTPSJOHVOJWFSTJUZQSJ[FT Other forms of recruitment media in comparison with the internet were perceived as being of TJHOJöDBOUMZMFTTVTF5IFTFDPOENPTUFòFDUJWFGPSNTPGSFDSVJUNFOUNFEJBXFSFSFDSVJUNFOU fairs and careers advisory services, which 78% of employers felt to be effective methods of graduate recruitment. Almost half of the employers surveyed stated that they did not use annual EJSFDUPSJFTPSTUVEFOUNBHB[JOFTBOEUIFTFUXPGPSNTPGNFEJBBMTPSFDFJWFEUIFMPXFTUTDPSFT for effectiveness with fewer than 70% considering them effective media. 11 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 11 26/2/08 10:54:19 Graduate Employability - the views of employers -BSHFDPNQBOJFTXFSFTJHOJöDBOUMZNPSFMJLFMZUIBO4.&TUPSFDSVJUHSBEVBUFTUISPVHIUIFVTFPG BOOVBMEJSFDUPSJFTBOETUVEFOUNBHB[JOFTUIBOTNBMMDPNQBOJFT5IFTVSWFZTIPXFEUIBUPG MBSHFDPNQBOJFTXJUIFNQMPZFFT JOEJDBUFEUIFZVTFESFDSVJUNFOUGBJSTDPNQBSFEXJUI KVTUPG4.&T5IFEBUBTIPXFEUIBU4.&TBSFNPSFMJLFMZUPSFDSVJUHSBEVBUFTUISPVHIUIFVTF PGSFDSVJUNFOUBHFODJFTXJUIVTJOHUIJTNFUIPEDPNQBSFEXJUIPGMBSHFDPNQBOJFT 5. University careers services Employers were asked to rate the service they receive from university careers services. The data POFNQMPZFSTBUJTGBDUJPOSFWFBMTöOEJOHTUIBUBSFPGDPOTJEFSBCMFDPODFSO/PUXJUITUBOEJOHUIF TJHOJöDBOUWBSJBCJMJUZJOMFWFMTPGJNQPSUBODFCZTJ[FPGDPNQBOZPWFSBMMUIFSFTVMUTVOEFSTDPSFUIF high levels of the use and effectiveness of online recruiting, and by contrast the rather worrying öOEJOHUIBUFNQMPZFSTBSFOPUTBUJTöFEXJUIUIFMFWFMTPGTFSWJDFEFMJWFSFECZVOJWFSTJUZDBSFFST advisory services. As Table 6 illustrates, the total average levels of satisfaction mask some of the SBUJOHTBUUSJCVUFEUPEFHSFFPGJNQPSUBODFBUUBDIFEUPUIFTFSWJDFCZTJ[FPGDPNQBOZ Table 6: Importance and satisfaction with services provided by universities: Importance (by no. of employees) Satisfaction Total “1-99” “100-999” “1000+” Total 'BTUSFTQPOTFTUPSFRVFTUTRVFSJFT 76% 66% 73% 72% 72% #FJOHBCMFUPQPTJUJPOZPVSDPNQBOZBTBO employer of choice (branding opportunities) 63% 1SFTFMFDUJPOPGDBOEJEBUFT$7TDSFFOJOH 68% 66% A single point of contact for recruitment 7 0% 62% 63% 66% 80% Email bulletins to students giving details of ZPVSDPNQBOZSPMFTBWBJMBCMF 63% 60% 73% 4UBòXJUILOPXMFEHFPGJOEVTUSZ SFRVJSFNFOUT 66% 63% 62% Opportunities to build relationships with careers service staff at universities 86% Access to students 82% 70% 4UBòXJUIFYQFSJFODFPGSFDSVJUJOHJOJOEVTUSZ 60% 66% Opportunities to build relationships with students 36% 66% #FJOHBCMFUPNPOJUPSBOEBOBMZTFTPVSDFTPG applications 28% 60% 4FBSDIBCMF$7MJCSBSZ 36% Assistance in arranging recruitment presentations at universities 36% 33% 73% #FJOHBCMFUPJOUFSWJFXUISPVHIPVUUIFZFBS at universities 4UBòXJUILOPXMFEHFPGEJWFSTJUZJTTVFT 78% Help in managing and responding to applications 23% 72% Opportunities to network with other recruiters 62% 6OJWFSTJUZJOUFSWJFXGBDJMJUJFT 62% Assistance in arranging interviews away from ZPVSPóDFT 7% 6% 86% Employers feel the most important services they receive from universities are fast responses UP SFRVFTUT BOE RVFSJFT CFJOH BCMF UP QPTJUJPO UIFJS DPNQBOZ BT BO FNQMPZFS PG DIPJDF BOE $7 TDSFFOJOH UP QSFTFMFDU DBOEJEBUFT 'PS MBSHF PSHBOJTBUJPOT PQQPSUVOJUJFT UP QPTJUJPO UIF DPNQBOZ BT BO FNQMPZFS PG DIPJDF BSF FTTFOUJBM JOEJDBUFE UIJT XBT JNQPSUBOU 0WFSBMM FNQMPZFSTXJUIPWFSFNQMPZFFTBSFNPSFEFNBOEJOHJOUFSNTPGUIFTFSWJDFUIFZFYQFDU and value opportunities to build relationships with both careers service staff and with students. Having a single point of contact for recruitment was considered an important service by two UIJSETPGFNQMPZFSTBOENPTUFNQMPZFST BSFTBUJTöFEXJUIUIJT0UIFSTFSWJDFTUIBUSFDFJWF 12 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 12 26/2/08 10:54:19 Graduate Employability - the views of employers high satisfaction ratings among employers include assistance in arranging interviews away from UIFJSPóDFTTBUJTöFE BOETUBòXJUILOPXMFEHFPGEJWFSTJUZJTTVFT &NQMPZFSTBSFMFBTUTBUJTöFEXJUIUIFBWBJMBCJMJUZPGBTFBSDIBCMF$7MJCSBSZTBUJTöFE BOEUIF BCJMJUZUPJOUFSWJFXUISPVHIPVUUIFZFBSBUVOJWFSTJUJFTTBUJTöFE UIJTTFSWJDFJTFTQFDJBMMZ important for large organisations. The challenge for many university careers advisory services though is trying to respond to the high levels of variability attached to the levels of importance of different service. It is thus very EJóDVMUUPQSPWJEFBIPMJTUJDTFSWJDFUPTNBMMBOEMBSHFDPNQBOJFTXIFOUIFSBOLJOHTDPSFTGPS different services are often at opposite ends of the spectrum. There is no surprise therefore that the overall satisfaction rankings are so variable. Ongoing work by i-graduate with university DBSFFSTBEWJTPSZTFSWJDFTIJHIMJHIUTUIFJSDFOUSBMJUZUPUIFMFBSOJOHFYQFSJFODFPGUIFTUVEFOUBOE UIFJSMFWFMTPGQSFQBSFEOFTTGPSUIFXPSLQMBDF/PUXJUITUBOEJOHUIJTBOEHJWFOUIFIJHIMFWFMT PGVTFCZFNQMPZFSTPGUIFJOUFSOFUBTBSFDSVJUJOHEFWJDFJHSBEVBUFJTöOEJOHDBSFFSTBEWJDF UPCFUIFADJOEFSFMMBPGUIFTUVEFOUFYQFSJFODF5IFöOEJOHTPOTBUJTGBDUJPOMFWFMTTFFNUPCF symptomatic of the lack of resources assigned to careers advisory services by universities, the Government and by employers. This has to be a worry in light of employer demands for graduates UPCFNPSFAXPSLSFBEZBOEDPNFJOUPFNQMPZNFOUXJUINPSFDPNNFSDJBMBXBSFOFTTBOEXJUI SFMFWBOUXPSLFYQFSJFODF5IFSFJTXPSLUPEPIFSFGPSCPUIVOJWFSTJUJFTBOEFNQMPZFST 6. Recommendations Employer involvement needed For employers (SBEVBUFFNQMPZFSTDBOVTFUIFöOEJOHTPGUIJTSFQPSUUPJOGPSNGVUVSFSFDSVJUNFOUBOEDPOTJEFS how their perceptions compare with those of others. Employers will also want to consider what TUFQTUIFZNJHIUUBLFUPCFUUFSJOGPSNVOJWFSTJUJFTPGUIFJSOFFETJODMVEJOHUISPVHI4FDUPS4LJMMT Councils) and work with them to develop even more employable graduates who can add value even earlier in their careers. The impending CIHE report on business demand for learning will shed some additional light on these issues.PSFFNQMPZFSTNJHIU » offer skill sessions on campus; » UBLFNPSFTUVEFOUTPOQMBDFNFOUTCPUIJOUIF6,BOEPWFSTFBT » develop and even deliver business case studies that bring the issues they face in front of students and academics so as to better inform and refresh the curriculum. 8PSL CZ UIF )JHIFS &EVDBUJPO "DBEFNZT 4VCKFDU $FOUSFT BOE UIF $FOUSFT PG &YDFMMFODF JO 5FBDIJOHBOE-FBSOJOH$&5-T JTIBWJOHBCFBSJOHPOJODSFBTJOHUIFTDBMFPGUIJTBDUJWJUZCVU there is no doubt that more employers, both large and small, are needed to take the workplace into the learning environment of higher education institutions. Recruiting talent from a wider pool *U JT UPP FBTZ GPS TPNF FNQMPZFST UP CFNPBO UIF MBDL PG XPSL FYQFSJFODF JO HSBEVBUFT XIJMF OPUPòFSJOHJUUIFNTFMWFT4PNFMBNFOUUIFMBDLPGQSBDUJDBMPSWPDBUJPOBMTLJMMTPSBQQSFDJBUJPO PGDPNNFSDJBMSFBMJUJFTZFUSFDSVJUGSPNBOBSSPXTFUPGVOJWFSTJUJFTSBUIFSUIBOöTIGPSUBMFOUJO UIFXJEFSQPOEXIFSFHSBEVBUFTXJUIUIFTFTLJMMTDBOCFGPVOE3FTFBSDICZ$*)& shows that companies can be a lot more proactive in widening their approach to recruitment. Stronger signals from employers to students For universities & university careers services &NQMPZFSTTIPVMEJOWFTUUJNFBOEFòPSUJOHFUUJOHUIFJSQSPöMFTBDSPTTWJBPOMJOFSFDSVJUNFOUBT this is the most effective method of graduate recruitment. Employer organisations also need to work in partnership with universities to ensure their degree programmes and the overall student MFBSOJOH FYQFSJFODF NFFUT UIF OFFET PG CVTJOFTT8F BMTP OFFE TUSPOHFS TJHOBMT o BOE NPSF DPOTJTUFOUTJHOBMToGSPNFNQMPZFSTUIBUUIFATPGUTLJMMTUIFZWBMVFBSFPGHSFBUFSJNQPSUBODFUP them. These messages are also needed at the pre-entry period to university, so that parents and students can be better informed of the employability demands of businesses. The CIHE is already XPSLJOHXJUI6$"4UPQVCMJTIUIFJSSFQPSUPOA%FHSFFTPG4LJMMoBHVJEFPOFNQMPZBCJMJUZTLJMMT POUIF6$"4XFCTJUF 4FFUIFTVNNBSZPGUIFQSPKFDUPOPVSXFCTJUFVOEFS-BUFTU/FXTGPMMPXJOHUIFMJOLUPDVSSFOUQSPKFDUT -#BSCFS%)JMM8)JSTDIBOE$5ZFSTA'JTIJOHGPS5BMFOUJOB8JEFS1PPMUSFOETBOEEJMFNNBTJODPSQPSBUFHSBEVBUFSFDSVJUNFOU$*)& BOEUIF*OTUJUVUFGPS&NQMPZNFOU4UVEJFT 13 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 13 26/2/08 10:54:19 Graduate Employability - the views of employers Building student learning oriented links with business 6OJWFSTJUJFTXJMMXBOUUPDPOUJOVFUPCVJMEDMPTFSFMBUJPOTIJQTXJUIFNQMPZFST.BOZFNQMPZFST SFNBJODPODFSOFEBCPVUUIFMBDLPGDFSUBJOATPGUTLJMMTBOEVOJWFSTJUJFTXJMMXBOUUPDPOTJEFSXIFSF the curriculum can address these (e.g. through problem solving in teams to build team working TLJMMT PSXIFSFUIFXJEFSVOJWFSTJUZFYQFSJFODFDBOIFMQFHXJUIQSFTFOUBUJPOTLJMMTBOEXPSL FYQFSJFODF XIFSF TUVEFOUT TFU MFBSOJOH BJNT 0G DPVSTF RVFTUJPOT SFNBJO BCPVU UIF MFWFM PG take-up by students of these opportunities. 6OJWFSTJUJFT DBO BTTJTU TUVEFOUT UISPVHI SBJTJOH UIFJS BXBSFOFTT PG XIBU FNQMPZFST TFFL JO HSBEVBUFTUIVTIFMQJOHUIFNBDRVJSFUIFTFTLJMMTUISPVHIPVUUIFJSVOJWFSTJUZDBSFFS6OJWFSTJUJFT DBOBMTPIFMQTUVEFOUTNBSTIBMUIFJSFYQFSJFODFTBOETLJMMTJOQFSTPOBMEFWFMPQNFOUQMBOTBOE $7TUIVTGBDJMJUBUJOHTUVEFOUTUPBSUJDVMBUFUIFTFTLJMMTBUKPCJOUFSWJFXT Responsive careers services .BOZDBSFFSTBEWJTPSZTFSWJDFTXPSLDMPTFMZXJUIFNQMPZFSTPOUIFEFWFMPQNFOUPGFNQMPZBCJMJUZ skills but more organisations need to be attracted to play a greater role on campus. Careers TFSWJDFTDBOSFDJQSPDBUFCZQSPWJEJOHFNQMPZFSTXJUITFSWJDFTTVDIBTGBTUSFTQPOTFUPRVFSJFT BOE$7TDSFFOJOH Reflective learning in placement design )JHIFS FEVDBUJPO DBSFFST TFSWJDFT JO VOJWFSTJUJFT BOE '& $PMMFHFT IBWF BO JNQPSUBOU SPMF UP QMBZ JO FOTVSJOH UIBU TUVEFOUT PO QMBDFNFOU QSPHSBNNFT TFU MFBSOJOH PCKFDUJWFT SFøFDU PO UIFJSFYQFSJFODFTBOEXIBUUIFZIBWFMFBSOFEBOEDBOUIFOBSUJDVMBUFUIPTFMFBSOJOHMFTTPOTUP employers. Demonstrating employability through university experience For students/ graduates &NQMPZFSTXIPSFTQPOEFEUPUIF*&#JOEJDBUFUIFUPQUISFFNPTUJNQPSUBOUTLJMMTBOERVBMJUJFT they seek are communication skills, team-working skills and integrity. These returns are consistent XJUIPUIFSTVSWFZT(SBEVBUFTUIFSFGPSFNVTUöOEXBZTUPEFNPOTUSBUFUIFTFTLJMMTPOUIFJS$7T BOEBUKPCJOUFSWJFXT5IJTSFRVJSFTUIFNUPCFNPSFQSPBDUJWFJOUIFJSVTFPGDBSFFSTTFSWJDFT Expanding global horizons in student experience 5XP JNQPSUBOU IBSE TLJMMT BSF MJUFSBDZ BOE OVNFSBDZ BOE UIFSF JT B MBSHF JNQPSUBODFTBUJTGBDUJPOHBQ-BSHFEJTDSFQBODJFTBSFBMTPTFFOGPSTBUJTGBDUJPOXJUIDPNNFSDJBMBXBSFOFTTBOESFMFWBOUXPSLFYQFSJFODF8IFOBQQMZJOHUPBMBSHFDPNQBOZJUJTNPSFJNQPSUBOUGPSHSBEVBUFTUP demonstrate leadership skills. When applying to a company which has an international parent or TPNFJOUFSOBUJPOBMEFBMJOHTHSBEVBUFTNJHIUSFøFDUPOUIFöOEJOHUIBUPGFNQMPZFSTJOEJDBUFEUIBUQSPGFTTJPOBMXPSLFYQFSJFODFPWFSTFBTNBLFBQQMJDBOUTNPSFEFTJSBCMF In terms of seeking employment, online recruitment is the most widely used medium and UIFSFGPSFUIFCFTUXBZUPöOEUIFXJEFTUSBOHFPGKPCT 4FF#SFOEB-JUUMFA%FWFMPQJOH,FZ4LJMMTUISPVHI8PSL1MBDFNFOU$*)&BOE$)&3*/PWFNCFS 14 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 14 26/2/08 10:54:19 Graduate Employability - the views of employers Some closing remarks … the overarching policy context … (JWFOUIFPWFSBSDIJOHQPMJDZDPOUFYUPVUMJOFEJOUIFGPSFXPSEUIJTSFQPSUDPOöSNTBOVNCFSPG prevailing views on the employability of graduates, but also brings to light new evidence on the SFRVJSFNFOUTPGJOUFSOBUJPOBMMZUSBEJOHCVTJOFTTFT5IFSFQPSUBMTPSFJOGPSDFTUIFDPOTJEFSBUJPO TUVEFOUT OFFE UP HJWF UP FYQMPSJOH PQQPSUVOJUJFT GPS IBWJOH TPNF GPSN PG JOUFSOBUJPOBM FYQFSJFODFT BT QBSU PG UIFJS TUVEJFT5IF SFQPSU BMTP FNQIBTJTFT TJHOJöDBOU EJòFSFODFT JO UIF SFRVJSFNFOUTBOEMFWFMTPGTBUJTGBDUJPOPGFNQMPZFSToVOJWFSTJUJFTFNQMPZFSTBOETUVEFOUTOFFE to take account of these and give consideration to the recommendations in this report. 5IF SBUJPOBM VOEFSQJOOJOH UIF $*)&T TVQQPSU PG JHSBEVBUF VOEFSUBLJOH UIJT UZQF PG SFTFBSDI MJFTJOPVSSFDPHOJUJPOUIBUCVTJOFTTMFBEFSTBSFPGUIFWJFXUIBUUIF6,EFWFMPQTTPNFPGUIF best graduates and best research anywhere in the world. However, the continued international DPNQFUJUJWFOFTT PG UIF 6, SFTUT PO UIF DPOUJOVJOH TVQQMZ PG IJHI RVBMJUZ HSBEVBUFT BOE postgraduates who have the knowledge and capabilities that knowledge intensive businesses OFFE5IJTXJMMSFRVJSFDMPTFSQBSUOFSTIJQTCFUXFFOCVTJOFTTFTBOEVOJWFSTJUJFTTPEFNBOEDBO be more informed and supply better geared to the needs of the high value-adding sectors of the economy which will secure our future prosperity. 15 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 15 26/2/08 10:54:19 Graduate Employability - the views of employers Organisations The Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE) 5IF$*)&JTBVOJRVFIJHIMFWFMQBSUOFSTIJQCFUXFFOMFBEFSTGSPNCVTJOFTTFTVOJWFSTJUJFTBOE DPMMFHFT8FXFSFFTUBCMJTIFEJOTPUIBUCVTJOFTTFTBOEVOJWFSTJUJFTDPVMEUBMLEFWFMPQB TIBSFEBHFOEBJOøVFODF(PWFSONFOUQPMJDJFTBOEVOEFSUBLFKPJOUQSPKFDUT0VSNJTTJPOJT “To advance all kinds of learning and research through the fostering of mutual understanding, co-operation and support between higher education and business.” Hence we: » develop an agreed agenda on the learning issues that affect our global competitiveness, social cohesion and individual development; » commission research so that policy can be better based on evidence; » debate our agenda and research with the Government and its agencies and » work with them and others to effect change. We aim for our policy papers to be strategic, rigorous and accessible. While we want to lead UIJOLJOHXFBMTPXBOUUPXPSLXJUIPUIFSTUPQVUUIBUUIJOLJOHJOUPQSBDUJDFGPSUIFCFOFöUPG businesses, universities, colleges, learners and the wider society. We want world-class learning and research in higher education to improve our international competitiveness and raise the capabilities of graduates and those already in the workforce. i-graduate The International Graduate Insight Group (i-graduate) is an independent research service specialising in the development and delivery of world-class insight tools and studies for TUBLFIPMEFSTJOFEVDBUJPOJHSBEVBUFIBTXPSLFEXJUIPWFSJOTUJUVUJPOTXPSMEXJEFQSPWJEJOH SFTFBSDIBOEDPOTVMUBODZTFSWJDFTGPSBOVNCFSPGQSFTUJHJPVTVOJWFSTJUJFTJODMVEJOHUIF6OJWFSTJUZ PG0YGPSE-POEPO4DIPPMPG&DPOPNJDTBOE,JOHT$PMMFHF-POEPO8FDVSSFOUMZXPSLXJUIPG UIF6,TUPQVOJWFSTJUJFTBOEGPVSJOöWFPGUIFXPSMETMFBEJOHJOTUJUVUJPOTJODMVEJOHVOJWFSTJUJFT JO"VTUSBMJB/FX;FBMBOEUIF/FUIFSMBOET#FMHJVN*SFMBOE/PSUI"NFSJDBBOE4PVUI"GSJDB JHSBEVBUFXBTFTUBCMJTIFEJOXJUIUIFBJNPGFOTVSJOHSFDSVJUNFOUUBSHFUTPGJOTUJUVUJPOT BOEUIFFYQFDUBUJPOTPGUIFJSTUVEFOUTXFSFNFUBOEFYDFFEFE0VSQSJNBSZNJTTJPOJTUPBTTJTU international educators to plan, understand, adapt and to measure more accurately the opinions, FYQFDUBUJPOTBOEFYQFSJFODFPGUIFTUVEFOUTXIPXJMMEFUFSNJOFUIFJSGVUVSFTVDDFTT We deliver an advanced range of dedicated market research and consultancy services for the education sector. The i-graduate network brings international insight, risk assessment and reassurance across strategy and planning, recruitment, delivery and relationship management. Milkround Online .JMLSPVOE 0OMJOF XBT MBVODIFE JO XJUI UIF BJN PG CSJOHJOH TUVEFOUT BOE HSBEVBUFT UPHFUIFSXJUIGBOUBTUJDFNQMPZNFOUPQQPSUVOJUJFT5IFXFCTJUFQSPWJEFTBOFóDJFOUJOGPSNBUJPO and search service, facilitating the recruitment process for candidates and employers alike. We BSFOPXUIF6,TMFBEJOHHSBEVBUFSFDSVJUNFOUTJUF8FIBWFPWFSSFHJTUFSFETUVEFOUT and graduates, and work with a range of employers from multinational blue-chips through to DIBSJUJFTBOETUBSUVQT0VSDMJFOUTSFDSVJUGSPNUPQFPQMFBOEXFDBOUBJMPSPVSTFSWJDF accordingly. (SBEVBUFSFDSVJUNFOUSFNBJOTPVSDPSFCVUXFBJNUPCVJMEUIF6,TMFBEJOHSFDSVJUNFOUCVTJOFTT We want to provide candidates with services and support throughout their professional careers. 8FXBOUUPIFMQSFDSVJUFSTöOEUIFCFTUQFPQMFBTFóDJFOUMZBOEDPTUFòFDUJWFMZBTQPTTJCMF5P GVMöMPVSHPBMTXFSFEFWFMPQJOHOFXQSPEVDUTUIBUXJMMSFWPMVUJPOJTFKPCIVOUJOH 16 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 16 26/2/08 10:54:20 Graduate Employability - the views of employers Notes 17 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 17 26/2/08 10:54:20 Graduate Employability - the views of employers Notes 18 Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 18 26/2/08 10:54:20 Recent CIHE Publications Using Public Procurement to Stimulate Innovation 5BLFTGPSXBSEUIFQSPQPTBMGSPNUIF(PWFONFOUBOEUIF0QQPTJUJPOUIBUQVCMJDQSPDVSFNFOUJOUIF6, DPVMEVTFGVMMZCVJMEPOUIF64FYQFSJFODFUPESJWFUIFJOOPWBUJPOQSPDFTTJODMVEJOHJOTNBMMCVTJOFTTFT 1IJMJQ5FSOPVUIb /PWFNCFS*4#/9 Global Horizons for UK Universities 0GGFSTHVJEBODFGPSVOJWFSTJUJFTPOUIFJTTVFTUIFZGBDFBTUIFZJOUFSOBUJPOBMJTFXJUIBSBOHFPGFYBNQMFT on current good practice. +PIO'JFMEFOb /PWFNCFS*4#/ Global Horizons for UK Students: A guide for Universities Offers guidance for universities on how they might increase the numbers of students studying overseas as part of their course. +PIO'JFMEFO1SPGFTTPS3PCJO.JEEMFIVSTU4UFWF8PPEGJFME+VMZ*4#/ Workforce Development: What works and why 1SPWJEFTBSBOHFPGFYBNQMFTPGVOJWFSTJUJFTBOECVTJOFTTFTXPSLJOHUPHFUIFSUPVQTLJMMUIFXPSLGPSDF )FMFO$POOPSb +VMZ*4#/ International Competitiveness: Competitiveness & the Role of Universities /PUFTUIFJNQPSUBODFUIBUHSBEVBUFTBOESFTFBSDIQMBZJOVOEFSQJOOJOHUIFLOPXMFEHFJOUFOTJWFCVTJOFTTFTUIBUESJWFUIF6,TJOUFSOBUJPOBMDPNQFUJUJWFOFTT 3JDIBSE#SPXOb "QSJM*4#/ STEM Review: the Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths Supply Chain 'PDVTJOHPOUIFTFTUSBUFHJDBMMZJNQPSUBOUTVCKFDUTUIJTSFWJFXFYBNJOFTUIFBDUJPOTUBLFOUPJNQMFNFOU QSFWJPVT(PWFSONFOUDPNNJTTJPOFESFQPSUTPOJODSFBTJOHUIFTVQQMZPG45&.HSBEVBUFTBOEXIBUGVSther steps might be taken. )VHI4NJUIb "QSJM*4#/ Internationalising Higher Education: A financial or moral imperative? 3FQPSUPGBDPOTVMUBUJPOBU4U(FPSHFT)PVTF8JOETPS$BTUMFJO+BOVBSZ4VNNBSJTFTUIFQSFTFOUBtions and discussion on the values that should underpin universities as they internationalise. b .BSDI*4#/ Workforce Development: how much engagement do employers have with higher education? This report brings together the evidence on employer demand for higher level workforce development. "TTVDIJUIJHIMJHIUTUIFDIBMMFOHFTGBDFECZCVTJOFTTFTBOEIJHIFSFEVDBUJPOJOUSZJOHUPNFFUUIF-FJUDI target of enhancing workforce skills. .BEFMFJOF,JOHb .BSDI Oxford Entrepreneurs &OUSFQSFOFVSTBSFWJUBMUPUIF#SJUJTIFDPOPNZBOEQPMJUJDJBOTGSPNBMMQBSUJFTBSFDPNNJUUFEUPQSPWJEJOH BQMBUGPSNXIFSFUIFZDBOGMPVSJTI*OUIJTCPPL4JS%PVHMBT)BHVFUFMMTUIFTUPSZPGPWFSFOUSFQSFOFVST JOUIF0YGPSEBSFBDBQUVSJOHUIFDPSFDIBSBDUFSJTUJDTPGTVDDFTTGVMTUBSUVQTBOETQJOPGGTMFTTPOTXIJDI can be replicated. 4JS%PVHMBT)BHVFBOE$ISJTUJOF)PMNFTb 4FQUFNCFS*4#/ A full list of CIHE publications can be found and ordered through our website www.cihe-uk.com Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 19 26/2/08 10:54:20 i-graduate )BSMFZ4USFFU -POEPO8(23 5FM 'BY www.i-graduate.org email: KFTTEBWJTPO!JHSBEVBUFPSg Milkround Online (SBZT*OO3PBE -POEPO 8$9)# 5FM www.milkroundonline.com email: [email protected] Council for Industry and Higher Education 4UVEJP5JHFS)PVTF #VSUPO4USFFU-POEPO 8$)#: 5FM 'BY [email protected] www.cihe-uk.com © Council for Industry and Higher Education, 2008 The Council for Industry and Higher Education is a company limited by guarantee SFHJTUFSFEJO&OHMBOEBOE8BMFT/P3FHJTUFSFE$IBSJUZ/P Grad Employ 25 Feb 08.indd 20 26/2/08 10:54:30
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