Speak to anyone currently graduating university, or who has a child or grandchild who is, and they will tell you that finding a job is very difficult.
Just this month, it was reported that graduate jobs – those positions and schemes specifically aimed at people leaving university – have fallen to their lowest ever level in the UK, with just 10,000 on offer.
Meanwhile, unemployment has hit a five-year high, with many of the roles lost being the entry-level ones often taken up by young people looking to get a foothold in their chosen industry.
At Work Avenue, the community’s leading employment and business support organisation, this is a problem we are seeing first-hand. We regularly speak to graduates who finished university last summer and are still struggling to secure their first professional role.
Most have applied for a high volume of jobs, sometimes hundreds, with limited responses, which understandably impacts confidence and motivation.
To make things even more difficult, many of the “junior” vacancies on offer now list one to three years of experience as a requirement, creating an additional barrier.
There are multiple factors behind what is happening.
Economic uncertainty means some companies are slowing or freezing entry-level recruitment entirely, while increased employer costs and red tape – including National Insurance rises and changes to the Employment Rights Act – are making organisations more cautious about hiring untested staff.
With almost one million new graduates each year, many more than in previous decades, competition for opportunities, especially the best ones, is much higher.
AI is also increasingly becoming a factor, with some of the tasks that junior staff would be hired to do now automated or heavily supported by digital tools. AI is also being used to filter applications, meaning some are never even seen by a real recruiter or employer.
But among all the depressing data, there are glimmers of light and ways forward.
First, the good news – there are still great opportunities out there, particularly for graduates who are proactive about networking, gaining experience and developing practical skills.
Alternative pathways are also becoming more common – including apprenticeships, freelance or portfolio careers, and skills-based training programmes.
And while organisations and charities in our community are facing the same economic realities as everyone else, jobs are holding up. Our communal employers continue to value graduates and offer good opportunities through internships, junior roles and bespoke programmes.
For young people themselves, finding work may mean exploring careers they may not have originally considered, particularly in sectors with strong demand and a solid future, such as healthcare and education. Looking towards opportunities in our own community can also be highly rewarding.
Some jobseekers will have to lower expectations. We often recommend looking at positions that will bring valuable experience and income, and then act as a stepping stone to a graduate-calibre role later.
For those still at school and looking to the future, it is also worth considering degree programmes with professional accreditation and/or a clear route into a regulated profession, as they often offer more direct career pathways. Thinking about related work experience or volunteering opportunities is also important.
If you are struggling to find a job – or have a loved one who is – it is important to know you are not alone.
At Work Avenue, we offer one-to-one employment advice for graduates, including CV building, interview preparation and job search strategy, as well as workshops, events, networking opportunities and the chance to hear from those who have “been there and done it” – all of which help to build practical skills, confidence and contacts.
We regularly go into schools to help students start thinking about careers and pathways before they reach university, and take an employment roadshow to universities around the country – starting this week in Birmingham.
Yes, it’s tough being a graduate right now. But with the right support, the ability to stand out from the crowd, and an open mind to different career paths and job options, there are still real opportunities to build a successful future.
For more information on Work Avenue, go to theworkavenue.org.uk or click here
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