Graduate starting salaries
are predicted to rise this year after an unprecedented period of stagnation,
according to the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), which today publishes
the winter edition of its bi-annual survey (Thursday 26 January).
The average starting salary
for a graduate is predicted to increase by 4% to £26,000 this year. It had
remained at £25,000 since 2009. Between 2006 and 2008, salaries increased by an
average of 2% a year. This predicted rise is the largest since 2005, when
starting salaries increased by 7%.
Carl Gilleard, Chief
Executive of the AGR, said: “The predicted increase to graduate salaries is
significant and sizeable, particularly given the context of starting salaries
remaining stagnant for the past three years. This will no doubt be welcome news
to the Government and the higher education sector, but moreover to graduates
themselves.”
The survey also shows that the
number of graduate vacancies increased last year by 1.7%, whilst this year
vacancies are predicted to drop by 1.2%.
Gilleard continued: “The
findings show that the market is predicted to remain relatively stable, which
is a relief and should be seen as good news against an uncertain national,
European and global economy. With the job market intrinsically linked to
business confidence, I am cautiously optimistic for graduate recruitment in
2012 and it is encouraging to see that only a slight drop is predicted.”
A number of key issues for
graduate recruiters were also explored in the survey, including their attitudes
to two year degree programmes. This condenses the academic content of a
standard three year degree into two years of study, and has been introduced by
several universities this academic year.
Half of AGR recruiters had
not heard of two year degree programmes, whilst the ones that had were concerned
students will be prevented from developing skills due to heavy workloads.
Gilleard continued: “Employers
predict two year degrees will prove popular with students. However, employers
do value graduates that have work experience, and those students that have
undertaken a year in industry as part of a four year degree. Consequently,
there are genuine concerns surrounding students undertaking two year degrees as
they do not have as much time to gain workplace experience.”
The survey also explores
recruitment marketing activities and found that nearly all recruiters (96%) are
planning to use online promotions, such as social media, job boards and company
websites, to target students. Despite this, the vast majority (89%) are still
planning to visit universities and be on campus.
The AGR is the leading voice
of graduate recruiters and developers and its bi-annual survey provides the
most extensive and detailed insight into the state of the graduate jobs market.
Today’s edition is based on the responses of 214 AGR members in the UK across 20
sectors, which recruited 21,325 graduates in 2011. The research was carried out
by education research specialists CFE in November 2011.
The AGR Graduate Recruitment Winter Survey 2012 also contains the
latest statistics on:
- Graduate vacancies and salaries by
business sector, career area and region
- Recruitment marketing activities and
spend
[ENDS]
For more press
information, please contact Scarlett Yianni or Thea Warren at Colman Getty, on
020 7631 2666 / scarlett@colmangetty.co.uk / thea@colmangetty.co.uk
·
Carl Gilleard, Chief Executive of AGR, is
available for interview. Please contact Colman Getty
·
The AGR Graduate Recruitment Winter Survey
2012 is based on responses provided by 214 AGR members in November 2011.
Collectively, these members recruited a total of 21,325 graduates
·
Press copies of the report are available on
request from Colman Getty. The full report is available free to AGR members and
is available to non-members priced £200, visit www.agr.org.uk for
further details
·
The AGR Graduate Recruitment Survey was
conducted by CFE on behalf of the AGR
·
The AGR is the recognised national voice for
all UK employers involved in graduate recruitment. The AGR has 750 members from
both the public and private sectors. To find out more about AGR membership,
visit www.agr.org.uk and
click on ‘Join AGR’ or call 01926 623 236.
·
CFE are research and consultancy specialists
in employment and skills. CFE has been
providing expert services to public and private sector clients since 1997.
Profits are re-invested to fund innovative research projects and its Policy
Insight series. With a team of dedicated staff, CFE work on behalf of
government departments and agencies, local authorities, colleges, universities
and employers. www.cfe.org.uk