UK graduate jobs market 'lagging behind rest of world'

UK graduates are facing more competition for jobs than those in many other countries, including the US, Australia and New Zealand, a new report has revealed.

According to a survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters, university leavers are also being paid less than many of their foreign counterparts, with fewer jobs available overall.

For every vacancy in the UK, there are over 50 graduate applicants up against skilled workers with experience, while there are only 43 in Australia and 40 in South Africa.

Sarah Shillingford, an analyst at Deloitte, said that graduates are wisening up to the fact that they have to do more to gain employment.

She told Personnel Today: "They are looking at the long-term prospects, like getting training and long-term career prospects. They are looking at a range of things, not just one or two factors."

Recent research carried out by the Centre for Enterprise showed that 89 per cent of UK companies are not planning to take on graduates in 2010 and are instead turning to skilled workers with experience.

Posted by Lee Anne Lewis