Latest jobs data shows 25% of 21-year-olds that left
university with a degree were
unemployed
Only 20% of school leavers with A-levels were
unemployed, compared to 25% of those that have graduated according
to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The ONS figures also show that it is easier for older graduates to
find work as only 5% of 24-year-olds were unemployed.
Charlie Ball, deputy director of research at the Higher
Education Careers Services Unit commented that the figures were
misleading as the number of people leaving with A-levels was
smaller than the number graduating. He also commented that the
graduate jobs
market had "hardly returned to its state pre-recession", but most
of those leaving university were likely to get jobs within six
months.
"Although the number of young people out of work is historically
high, the graduate unemployment rate in this recession has not
reached the levels it did in the 1980s or 1990s,"
Many students will look at the recent figures on graduate jobs
and will have to think longer and harder on whether a degree is the
better option for career development. However recent research into
graduate careers by Skandia has suggested that they still earn a
premium over the course of their career. Graduates can on
average earn £1.6m over a working career of 45 years, whilst an
18-year-old can earn £1m over 48 years. A 16-year-old will earn
around £783,964 over 49.5 years.
The TUC's general secretary, Brendan Barber, said the figures
showed the importance of higher qualifications in helping young
people into work. But he added: "With ministers putting up fresh
barriers to higher education by hiking tuition fees and scrapping
the EMA, the scar of mass joblessness that is hitting today's
youngsters could follow some of them into their late 20s or even
30s.
"The government's cut-price work experience
scheme is woefully ill-equipped to deal with the scale of our jobs
crisis. Young people need tailored support and experience of proper
paid jobs to give them the best possible chance of moving into
work."
Share and Connect
What are these?
|
Follow on Twitter |
 |
Link to us |
 |
Read our Blogg |
 |
Connect with us |
 |