Public sector an area of opportunity for graduates

Those concerned about finding employment after university should look to the public services professions, a recent report reveals.

Despite unemployment among university leavers reaching 7.9% this year, the highest it has been in over a decade, graduate recruitment in the public sector has continued to grow.

According to the Higher Education Careers Service Unit (HECSU), the number of graduates working as medical practitioners or pre-registration house officers increased by 15% since 2007. Secondary school teaching vacancies also increased during this period, by 14%. 

Social work proved to be the biggest growth area for graduate jobs since 2007, boosting its positions by an impressive 55% to more than 2,500. This is largely due to the fact that it is now possible to attain a degree in social work, reports The Times.  

The same study revealed that the average graduate salary had climbed by 2% since 2007, to £19,677.
 

Mike Hill, chief executive of HECSU, said:

"Despite unemployment increasing generally, for those who have found a job, salary levels are holding up.
 
"Any signs of economic recovery may not be reflected in the destinations of new graduates until the 2010 graduating cohort. 

“However, graduates shouldn't feel disheartened. Many organisations continue to recruit and a degree will certainly remain valuable for many years to come,” he added.