Graduate schemes backed for employability

by Ayshia Armani

Figures from the Office for National Statistics now show that graduate schemes may not be the best option for those wanting a direct path into full-time employment.

Youth unemployment has hit its highest level since the 1980’s and 25% of 21-year-olds who graduated from university with a degree are being left unemployed.

The guarantee of going straight into paid work has never been more desirable to students, many relying solely on graduate jobs as a fast track solution to finding full-time employment.

Charlie Ball, Deputy Director of Research at the Higher Education Careers Services Unit, claims the graduate job market has "hardly returned to its state pre-recession", but said that most of those leaving university were likely to get jobs within six months.

Learning and earning

However, according to Mike Barnard, Project Manager at Milkround Online, a graduate recruitment company, “graduate schemes can be good, but are not vital. It really does depend on the job. For graduate jobs, it would be a minimum requirement”.

When asked if graduate jobs still hold as much value as they 10 years ago he said: “Yes they do. Graduate schemes allow graduates to step right in.

They get an idea of a job role, money, and positions - they are learning and earning.”

Dami, 21, who will graduate with a degree in Sociology from the University of Westminster next year said: "I applied for a lot of graduate jobs because I felt that it would help me get full time work in my career field. I’ve applied to over 10 but only one has got back to me and that was a rejection letter. Finding them has been really hard.”

Barnard explains, “Graduate schemes aren’t the be all end all. Getting experience while you study is essential, by doing internships, work experience or a placement to show potential employers that you have the right skills. Vocational qualifications are also a good alternative to a graduate scheme”.