Uni Leavers Not Up To Scratch

It is interesting to read the results of a recent totaljobs.com survey, which looks at how well equipped graduates are for the modern work place. An alarming 40% of companies recruiting graduates believe a significant proportion of university leavers do not posses the required work-based skills to achieve a graduate entry-level role within their firm. There seems to be a lack of communication between the universities and the business community and as a result this skills gap exists.

Of those surveyed, 82% of graduate recruiting companies believe it was the responsibility of universities to ensure that post-graduates were 'work ready'. There is a belief that companies are lacking in trust when it comes to hiring fresh graduates and we are rarely able to find companies willing to take a gamble on a recent university leaver. Companies want someone else to take the risk in those first few months of employment and then, once the graduate is 'bedded in', they will consider them. The enthusiasm seems to be there, but there seems to be a lack of written and verbal communication skills to an appropriate level. It's not so much that clients don't see potential; it's more a case of having to teach '20 somethings' skills that are vital to the work-place, a functionality that they believe should already be in place.

Certainly, recruitment agencies witness first hand the poor written communication skills many graduates process. In a job role that requires people to be able to communicate at a very high level, it's vital recruitment agencies are able to employ people who come readily equipped to deal with the leading figures of the marketing world. As part of an interview process for graduates there is now a heavy emphasis on these key 'work-based skills' which didn't seem as necessary 5 years ago.

Certainly there appears to be a narrowing in terms of the subject matter covered in later education. There was a time when graduates were employed because the structure of their studies ensured that they were very capable of structuring sentences; writing briefs; delivering presentations; &c. As this now seems to be less of a guarantee, there is certainly a need to compensate for these gaps with additional support in such areas before hitting the work place. With the current economic climate in a weak state, now more than ever there is a need for strong graduates entering the business community ready and equipped to add value not drain resources.

By: wm_penwith

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BD recruitment are a digital recruitment agency based in Manchester, UK.