Industry Insight

Recruiters fear they will be unable to fill vacancies

SOURCE: The Independent, 14th February 2008

Graduate vacancies are on the increase for the fifth year running, in spite of uncertainties regarding the UK's current economic situation, according to the latest bi-annual survey from the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR). The number of vacancies anticipated for graduates entering the market into graduate level jobs this year will increase by 16.4 per cent, while salaries for entrants will also increase by a median of 2.1 per cent - around the level of inflation - bringing the median salary for graduates to £24,000.

However, recruiters still envisage difficulties in filling all vacancies, with 67 per cent anticipating challenges. Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, comments: "The findings of our 2008 survey will be encouraging for graduates entering the workforce this year, as the market appears to be as buoyant as it's been for the past five years. Concerns about elitism within graduate recruitment also seem to be a thing of the past with the profile of graduates starting roles in 2007 being more reflective of the diverse make up of UK graduates. However, the anticipated recruitment shortfall makes worrying reading, particularly in certain sectors, where the recruiters fear they will not fill a significant number of the vacancies available."

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