EMPLOYABILITY MATTERS LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Carl GilleardChief Executive

AGR

Things have been worse!

1992 – Graduate level vacancies fell by 32% in one year

Between 1990 and 1993, half of all graduate level vacancies disappeared before recovering

And in the 21st century…

Graduate vacancies in 2000-2013 in the UK.

In 2008 ……………….

In 2011…

STUFF HAPPENS!

The changing world of work.

Major drivers of change:

• Technology

• Globalisation

• Demography

• Environment

• The Economy

• Rising Expectations.

The changing world of work will impact on:

• What we do.

• How we do it.

• When we do it.

• Where we do it.

• The speed at which things change.

• The demand for skills, knowledge and understanding

• Career structures and paths.

“No such thing as a career path.

It’s crazy paving and you have to lay it yourself!”

Everything ……………………

………………….. and more!

What do employers look for in graduates?

What do employers look for in graduates?

A good degree plus…….

Skills

Experience

Personal attributes

A good application

A good degree.

76% of employers demand a 2:1

19% of employers demand a 2:2

27% demand specific degrees

21st century work skills.

Teamwork

Self-management

Project management

Business and customer awareness

IT Literacy

Problem solving

Communications

Cultural sensitivity/awareness

Managing learning and career

Numeracy

GROWING IMPORTANCE OF WORK EXPERIENCE

“Three quarters of the graduate vacancies advertised this year by City investment banks and half of training contracts offered by leading law firms are likely to be filled by graduates who have already completed work experience with the employer” “Over half the recruiters who took part in the research warn that graduates who have had no previous work experience are unlikely to be successful during the selection process and leave little or no chance of receiving job offers for their graduate programmes.” ‘The Graduate Market in 2013’ – High Fliers   -28% of respondents to the AGR Graduate Recruitment Survey 2012 –Summer Review use ‘relevant work experience’ as a selection criterion. 

“Experience is not what

happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens

to you”

Aldous Huxley

Personal attributes – it’s all about SELF.

SELF Awareness

SELF Esteem

SELF Confidence

SELF Efficacy

What makes a good application?

• 95% of AGR members request electronic applications for graduate jobs

•  Applications should be tailored • Candidates must:  - research the company and the job

-follow instructions -use spell check -learn how to market what they have to offer -demonstrate evidence -link skills and experiences to the job specification

•  Seek feedback and act on it • Fewer, high quality applications  • Internship and job applications are no different

The right mind-set.

Think global

• Borderless recruitment is on the increase in the UK

• Global citizens/Global workers

• UK graduates do not travel well

Missed opportunities- Part 1

CERN- The most expensive science collaboration in the world

•3,300 staff, fellows and students

•UK Participation figures:

Staff Fellows Doctoral Students

Technical Students

No. % No. % No. % No. %

UK 223 9.48 28 5.15 8 4.91 9 6.04

Total 2512 100 544 100 163 100 149 100

Desirable participation in each area is 14%- ie equal to the UK’s contribution to CERN

Missed opportunities- Part 2

EU Careers •UK makes up 12% of the population

•5% of the officials

•In 2010, UK made up 1.44% of applicant pool for the graduate administrative cycle

The key to unlocking potential -

Taking personal responsibility.

“To be employed is to be at risk.

To be employable is to be secure.”