GRADUATE HOPE AND PROSPERITY – Making it Happen

Carl GilleardChief Executive

AGR

THE JOURNEY

From school to university

From university to work…

A FAST CHANGING WORLD

GRADUATE IN 2012 – RETIRE IN 2062

50 YEARS AGO

• No computers in the workplace

• Mobiles were unheard of

• Social networking took place in pubs and clubs

• Only explorers worked remotely

• Very few women had a career

• A career was onwards and upwards

• A job was for life

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR TODAY’S GRADUATES?

• An uncertain journey

• Constant change

• A career is like crazy paving and you lay it yourself

• Global careers will be common place

• Skills will constantly become redundant and be replaced by new skills

TODAY – COMPLEX RANGE OF CHOICES AT 18

Apprenticeship, job, university, year out If university – which and which course?

Decisions influenced by: Socio/economic factors Mass of data – KIS, NSS, league tables Advice and information from

peers family teachers universities careers advisers employers social media

MAXIMISING THE RETURNS - SCHOOLS

Financial management skills

Independent living

Self-directed learning

Time management

Reflective learning

Employability skills

MAXIMISING THE RETURNS - STUDENTS

Avoid the “If Only I’d Known” syndrome: Plan and prepare for exit from day one Make the best use of the resources available including careers

services Complain if resources are inadequate Engage in activities to develop skills Build your offering Links to employers:

• Careers fairs and presentations

• Skills sessions

• Linked In communities

• Work placements – internships etc

Take control of your own future

MAXIMISING THE RETURNS - UNIVERSITIES

Employability skills into the curriculum Well resourced careers provision Engage academics in supporting students Placement services (student and post graduation jobs) Links with schools and employers Develop enterprise culture Exploit the global dimension of HE Adopt and use the HEAR

WHAT DO GRADUATES DO? 2011/12

Degree Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Work (%)

Unemployed (%)

Environment 23.7* 8.7

Sports Science 18.2 6.8

Geography 19.0* 6.4

Law 22.1* 7.5

Sociology 24.5* 8.9

Art & Design 25.1 11.6

English 23.6* 9.0

History 23.7* 9.1

Media Studies 28.6* 12.3

Languages 19.9* 8.8

Accounting 12.1 11.5

Business & Management 14.0 10.1

HECSU

OTHER STATISTICS

61.8% entered employment

13.1% entered further study/training

8.4% were working and studying

8.6% were unemployed

8.2% were doing other things

What do graduates do (HECSU)

PROSPECTS FOR GRADUATES

Its tough but its been worse 73 applications chasing each graduate level job – AGR Survey 2012 Graduate employment is holding firm Many graduates start in jobs, not careers Debt, pressures, uncertainty Regional variations:

1 in 5 work in London 1 in 3 work in London and South East

Yet – graduates are fare better in the workforce than non-graduates

GRADUATES CAN ADD REAL VALUE

Speed to value*

Creative destruction*

Energy, enthusiasm*

Able to innovate and cope with the changes innovation brings*

Technologically savvy

Digital natives

* “Adding value beyond measure” – Dr Anthony Hesketh (2004)

REFLECTIONS ON CAREERS PROVISIONS

Why are some services better resourced than others? Is the divide between guidance and placement false? How do you engage the disaffected? When’s the best time for interventions to take place? Who is in charge of employability? Can services do more for schools? Guidance and social mobility? Guidance post graduation – is it false hope?

THE STAKES ARE HIGH

If student expectations are not met then disillusioned graduates will negatively influence future generations who will vote with their feet.

Neither UK plc or universities can afford for that to happen

CAREER SERVICES MUST ASSERT THEMSELVES –

THEIR TIME HAS COME

www.agr.org.uk