Thought I would set up a thread to discuss what is currently going on in the labor market (both UK and global).
Are things really getting better for graduates? Or do you think there is a long way to go until prospects really start looking up for the majority?
Just my take:
It seems that, on the one hand, while the number of graduate positions has and is still rapidly increasing, on the other, the number of applicants per position is still painstakingly high. This is still leading to long-drawn out application processes, the need for several assessment centers, online examinations, sequential interview rounds and rigorous entry-level job requirements. These together, are making it a fierce battleground for graduates getting their foot in the door (for those with and without experience). Moreover, many graduates are faced with the catch-22 situation (needing experience, but needing that first job to get that initial experience).
While prospects are great for those graduates who knew what they wanted to persue since they were young (either due to family connections, family knowledge on particular jobs who were then able to direct their kids down the necessary path, great advice from schools or early planning), many graduates who were not blessed with such head starts (and as such, did not consider the necessary degree and/or work experience beforehand) are now left, somewhat, desperately trapped.
Indeed, we can criticize these graduates for the poor choices they made, but, it is these 'majority' graduates that are going to be tasked with supporting the economies left by our parents, and to carry on the 'so-called economic plans' in place now. Therefore, I believe that the time to criticize these graduates has now ended, and we need to look towards how we can train this 'excess supply' up so that they can be employable for livable wage, concrete jobs.
As a result, can we really assume that prospects for graduates are really improving? or are we still a very long way off?
Just thought I would start a thread to get some discussion going.