Latest news: Graduate job market grows

The graduate recruitment market is showing signs of improvement for the first time since the recession, according to a new report.

25/01/2011

The survey of over 200 employers in the UK found an 8.9% increase in the number of graduate jobs, says the Association of Graduate Recruiters winter survey.

Despite a slow start to 2010, graduate recruitment grew sharply in the last few months of the year. This trend is expected to continue into 2011, with a further increase of 3.8% predicted.

‘It is heartening to see that after so many months of misery for graduates, the job market is finally picking up,’ said the AGR chief executive Carl Gilleard.

Despite the growth in jobs offered, starting salaries for graduates have remained static for the third year running, at a median of £25,000.

‘The fact that salaries are predicted to remain the same for a third year and fewer employers are offering financial incentive for graduates, is also evidence that the demand for jobs still greatly outstrips supply,’ said Mr Gilleard.

‘Although it is currently an employers’ market, we would urge recruiters not to become complacent – particularly as things start to pick up and tuition fees take hold.’

The news comes after a High Fliers survey of the top 100 employers found that recruitment had grown 9% in 2010.