THIS week saw the AGR (Association of Graduate Recruiters) speak about their ideas for unravelling the conundrum of graduate unemployment and recruitment. AND one of WEXO’s favouritest blogs, ‘Dude Where’s my (Career) Blog’ in its infinite braininess has assessed their plans with its usual clarity. We’re throwing our thoughts into the ring and want you to do the same.


SO… Here’s the thing. As Dude points out, the solutions put forward by the AGR’s crack team of 750 employers lack the wow factor, but they do raise some interesting discussion points. AGR solutions sound a little bit ‘me me me’.


FIRSTLY, at their summit this week one thing unanimously agreed upon was that Universities need extra cash from somewhere to stop British Unis rapidly falling off the map as some of the World’s best. But the feeling was that this would come from more top up fees – you know, the ones students up and down the country have already been campaigning against, sitting in tents on cold nights in protest against etc. Needless to say this will not be a popular move.


SECONDLY, there was a call to scrap the government push for 50% of people in this country to attend university. It’s a pretty controversial talking point and a lot of people feel we don’t really need all those graduates floating around a saturated graduate market. It’s a fair point. However, in the name of democratising access to high level jobs this is problematic, no? If only some people get to go uni, then it looks like social mobility may take a blow. In fact Higher Education Minister David Lammy has spoken out about how he feels lucky to have benefited from university despite his poor background, it’s apparently something he’s passionate about.


AND FINALLY, The point Dude picked up on is AGR’s call for universities to teach ‘employability skills’ in degree courses and for students to do more ‘high quality work experience before and after university. Companies are calling for graduates to arrive at their doors ready trained and rearing to go. Dude rightly asks the question:


‘Er, whatever happened to great companies being able to spot candidates’ potential? And training you up, on the job?’ – Dude


Good question. With the increase in top up fees, employers are asking students to pay for their own training, as well as their qualifications. Hmmm. But who can afford to pay for this training more I wonder… companies… or hugely indebted graduates? Given all the hard work many graduates put into companies through internships already, surely young graduate shoulders can’t take ALL the strain of the recession, merely because they don’t have a lot of choice in the matter.


HOWEVER, work experience whilst at uni, in the holidays for example (especially if it’s paid) we DO think is a good idea and can help bridge the gap between Uni and working world. But employability skills are something best taught by the people that require them, no?





That’s ours, what’s your two pence?


Decide for yourself and let us know below – get a bit more info here

Recruiters demand work-ready graduates – but isn’t that THEIR job?