Bosses condemn 'useless' degrees that leave graduates unemployable
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2026858/Bosses-condemn-useless-degrees-leave-graduates-lacking-basic-skills.html
'The devastating report, from the British Chambers of Commerce, reveals small businesses are frustrated at the quality of applicants, who they say can barely concentrate or add up.'
'Nearly half of the 2,000 firms surveyed said they would be 'fairly or very nervous' about hiring someone who has just finished their A-levels.'
The report warns: 'Too many people [are] coming out with fairly useless degrees in non-serious subjects.'
'Dr Marshall said: 'There may be a course in underwater basket weaving, but that does not mean anybody will actually want to employ you at the end of it.'
He cited the American television crime drama CSI as a prime example. It sparked a huge growth in the popularity of forensic science courses, but Dr Marshall said demand for these graduates is low.'
---------------------
If you're going university and graduate and you cannot concentrate or add up, then you ****ed up!!
What do you think guys?
'The devastating report, from the British Chambers of Commerce, reveals small businesses are frustrated at the quality of applicants, who they say can barely concentrate or add up.'
'Nearly half of the 2,000 firms surveyed said they would be 'fairly or very nervous' about hiring someone who has just finished their A-levels.'
The report warns: 'Too many people [are] coming out with fairly useless degrees in non-serious subjects.'
'Dr Marshall said: 'There may be a course in underwater basket weaving, but that does not mean anybody will actually want to employ you at the end of it.'
He cited the American television crime drama CSI as a prime example. It sparked a huge growth in the popularity of forensic science courses, but Dr Marshall said demand for these graduates is low.'
---------------------
If you're going university and graduate and you cannot concentrate or add up, then you ****ed up!!
What do you think guys?
Scroll to see replies
Original post by fursey
Haha, but they said 'hiring someone who has just finished their A-levels'?
It also says The report warns: 'Too many people [are] coming out with fairly useless degrees in non-serious subjects.'
There are some really useless degrees out there, david beckham studies, golf course management anyone?, but unis don't really care if there is a high demand for a not so great course, however friends of mine that i've talked to have done degress and then really found out what they'd like to do for a career or gave them an experience of what they wanted to do.
But it is pretty hard out there for graduates right now, theres about 5 people that i know that work in the call centre with me that have recently graduated in the past few years and haven't been able to secure a job in their chosen field or the wage was too low to even live on and not worth it.
But it is pretty hard out there for graduates right now, theres about 5 people that i know that work in the call centre with me that have recently graduated in the past few years and haven't been able to secure a job in their chosen field or the wage was too low to even live on and not worth it.
Original post by AreYouDizzeeBlud_x
What do you think guys?
I think that,
'Over half of the 2,000 firms surveyed said they would not be 'fairly or very nervous' about hiring someone who has just finished their A-levels.'
And that sounds about right to be honest.
Original post by SeaSickSteve!
There are some really useless degrees out there, david beckham studies, golf course management anyone?, but unis don't really care if there is a high demand for a not so great course, however friends of mine that i've talked to have done degress and then really found out what they'd like to do for a career or gave them an experience of what they wanted to do.
But it is pretty hard out there for graduates right now, theres about 5 people that i know that work in the call centre with me that have recently graduated in the past few years and haven't been able to secure a job in their chosen field or the wage was too low to even live on and not worth it.
But it is pretty hard out there for graduates right now, theres about 5 people that i know that work in the call centre with me that have recently graduated in the past few years and haven't been able to secure a job in their chosen field or the wage was too low to even live on and not worth it.
There is no such degree as "David Beckham studies" and graduate of Golf Course Management are some of the most headhunted around.
Original post by Smack
There is no such degree as "David Beckham studies" and graduate of Golf Course Management are some of the most headhunted around.
There was up till a few years ago..., i never really thought that golf course managment was sought after, but thats wat u get for reading the daily fail-mail.
The mail article is pretty scrambled - you can read the full thing here...
http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/6798219244275052995/G16836_BCC_Workforce_Survey_Micros.pdf
oddly enough it's mostly about regulations affecting agency workers, pensions etc and the section about graduates is just an aside.
http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/6798219244275052995/G16836_BCC_Workforce_Survey_Micros.pdf
oddly enough it's mostly about regulations affecting agency workers, pensions etc and the section about graduates is just an aside.
Original post by SeaSickSteve!
There was up till a few years ago..., i never really thought that golf course managment was sought after, but thats wat u get for reading the daily fail-mail.
No there wasn't, it was a single module in a much bigger media related degree. The news hysteria about it was all based on half truths.
Its just another lazy rehash of a rehash of a 'slow news day' article presumably penned by a journalist on the toilet in a pub after realising that they had 15 minutes to fill 300 words worth of column space.
They are claiming that candidates for jobs are lacking basic skills yet the article blames this on 'useless degrees in non-serious subjects'.
Cited as traits lacking are basic numeracy and literacy, the ability to focus and interpersonal skills. How does that have anything to do with even a 'useful degree in a serious subject?' If anything, this is more a failing of primary and secondary education and definately not tertiary.
Also, I cannot stand the arrogance of the Chamber of Commerce (which is essentially just an old boys club) and similar organisation in tacitly suggesting that the predominant goal of tertiary education is to train people for employment with their members' organisations.
In reality, very few people learn any job skills (even soft skills) as part of their degree course. In a lot of so called 'graduate schemes', a degree is nothing but a first-filter system for stream lining the application process. It just tells the employer that the candidate is middle-class and studious enough to be a part of their organisation.
They are claiming that candidates for jobs are lacking basic skills yet the article blames this on 'useless degrees in non-serious subjects'.
Cited as traits lacking are basic numeracy and literacy, the ability to focus and interpersonal skills. How does that have anything to do with even a 'useful degree in a serious subject?' If anything, this is more a failing of primary and secondary education and definately not tertiary.
Also, I cannot stand the arrogance of the Chamber of Commerce (which is essentially just an old boys club) and similar organisation in tacitly suggesting that the predominant goal of tertiary education is to train people for employment with their members' organisations.
In reality, very few people learn any job skills (even soft skills) as part of their degree course. In a lot of so called 'graduate schemes', a degree is nothing but a first-filter system for stream lining the application process. It just tells the employer that the candidate is middle-class and studious enough to be a part of their organisation.
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by Drewski
No there wasn't, it was a single module in a much bigger media related degree. The news hysteria about it was all based on half truths.
yeah alot of it is and i would be very slow to beleive a sensationalist tabloid headline of the sort found in the mail.
however if you read the clearing section of the newspaper for some of the really bottom end degrees there are a bunch with dodgy names like "computer game studies" and "beach management".
they don't really provide value for money in terms of the job marketplace but i suppose if you are really interested in the cultural impact of video games or how to keep a clean and tidy beach you could do it for the banter i think
Original post by Aj12
Would like to know what degrees they mean. saying useless degrees ect is fairly meaningless. Surely to some employers a Law degree will be utterly useless?
Thats what I was thinking to be honest. Its all good and well of them to say 'xyz degree is useless or there is no demand for this degree' but they haven't actually gone into any detail in terms of what they regard as the top degrees and the most in demand degrees.
Original post by Maker
It sounds like the annual ritual of young people bashing by those who have jobs.
It makes me wonder what sorts basic maths, English and interpersonal skills these employers want?
Perhaps it would be helpful if they told someone what exactly they are after?
It makes me wonder what sorts basic maths, English and interpersonal skills these employers want?
Perhaps it would be helpful if they told someone what exactly they are after?
Do you know what the funny thing is? Loads of older people I know can't even do algebra or anything along those lines. Ask someone old about trigonometry and they'll crumble
Original post by Aj12
Would like to know what degrees they mean. saying useless degrees ect is fairly meaningless. Surely to some employers a Law degree will be utterly useless?
nah law has great transferable skills including:
incredible boredom threshold
ability to absorb and process large quantities of information
ability to deconstruct and evaluate complex argument
general academic rigor
communication skills (if you course includes a compulsory mooting section)
attention to detail
etc
Original post by Tefhel
Well they have a point. Considering that there are about 109 universities in the UK, and only about 25/30 are 'decent' unis there must be an awful lot of CCC standard graduates who in all honesty probably can't do mental arithmetic or write a decent essay.
LOL - 24/30 decent Universities according to who? you?
God forbid those awful CCC standard graduates who must be as thick as pig ****. Typical comment from a do-gooder that has probably never done a hard days work in his/her life.
Original post by AreYouDizzeeBlud_x
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2026858/Bosses-condemn-useless-degrees-leave-graduates-lacking-basic-skills.html
'The devastating report, from the British Chambers of Commerce, reveals small businesses are frustrated at the quality of applicants, who they say can barely concentrate or add up.'
'Nearly half of the 2,000 firms surveyed said they would be 'fairly or very nervous' about hiring someone who has just finished their A-levels.'
The report warns: 'Too many people [are] coming out with fairly useless degrees in non-serious subjects.'
'Dr Marshall said: 'There may be a course in underwater basket weaving, but that does not mean anybody will actually want to employ you at the end of it.'
He cited the American television crime drama CSI as a prime example. It sparked a huge growth in the popularity of forensic science courses, but Dr Marshall said demand for these graduates is low.'
---------------------
If you're going university and graduate and you cannot concentrate or add up, then you ****ed up!!
What do you think guys?
'The devastating report, from the British Chambers of Commerce, reveals small businesses are frustrated at the quality of applicants, who they say can barely concentrate or add up.'
'Nearly half of the 2,000 firms surveyed said they would be 'fairly or very nervous' about hiring someone who has just finished their A-levels.'
The report warns: 'Too many people [are] coming out with fairly useless degrees in non-serious subjects.'
'Dr Marshall said: 'There may be a course in underwater basket weaving, but that does not mean anybody will actually want to employ you at the end of it.'
He cited the American television crime drama CSI as a prime example. It sparked a huge growth in the popularity of forensic science courses, but Dr Marshall said demand for these graduates is low.'
---------------------
If you're going university and graduate and you cannot concentrate or add up, then you ****ed up!!
What do you think guys?
I work in the British Chambers at the moment. And i know who undertook this survey they only asked small SPECIALIST firms believe me i wouldnt listen to it one bit. Some of the firms are so specialised its unbelievable i.e one firm produces outdoor specialist lights for Horses?!?!.
If you ask corporations they will give a much more positive view of university degrees they are just trying to grab headlines.
Original post by SeaSickSteve!
There was up till a few years ago..., i never really thought that golf course managment was sought after, but thats wat u get for reading the daily fail-mail.
Urban myth dude
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