Graduates across the UK can look forward to being greeted with a buoyant jobs market the moment they complete their degrees, according to the latest figures.
The totaljobs.com barometer revealed a 13% leap in the number of graduate and trainee roles between Q2 2013 and Q2 2014 – indicating that employers are keener than ever to hire skilled candidates from the graduate talent pool.
These findings come in the wake of the High Fliers report, which showed a 12% increase in the number of jobs for degree holders –thus returning the graduate jobs market to its pre-recession peak.
The research from totaljobs.com also went on to reveal the sectors that have seen the strongest growth in vacancies over the same period. Graduate and trainee roles placed fifth in this ranking while the top four was as follows:
• Construction – +43%
• Transport and logistics – +27%
• Customer service – +19%
• Secretarial, PA and administration – +18%
Some regions out performing others
On a regional basis the East Midlands saw the biggest increase in job postings, with this figure climbing by 17%. This was closely followed by Yorkshire at +16%. Graduates entering the employment market may also want to hunt for roles in Wales, the North West, the North East, and East Anglia – with job openings in these regions jumping by 12% across the year.
Commenting on the survey findings, John Salt, Director at totaljobs.com said: “Although not all sectors have enjoyed a rise in jobs, today’s figures show that the overall national labour market is very positive.”
“Encouragingly, given the higher level of youth unemployment, the number of graduate and trainee jobs has increased by 13% year on year, and 6% since the last quarter. This will be a relief for many young people who are still struggling to find work and follows last week’s announcement of the EU Youth Guarantee to secure under 25s a job offer within four months.”
