Latest Sector News
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A regular global survey of hiring and firing trends covering over 12,800 organisations in 47 countries has found that employment markets around the world appear to be finally stabilising. The 'Global Snapshot' project from the multi-national recruitment firm, Antal International, asked 12,875 companies in major markets such as western and eastern Europe, Africa, India, China and the USA whether they were currently hiring at professional and managerial level. Current hiring levels across the globe were up slightly with 52% of respondents recruiting at professional and managerial level in comparison to 50% in February. In Western Europe the highest current hiring levels were in the UK (61%), France (59%) and Belgium (55%). The lowest levels recorded were in Portugal at 28% and Austria with just 19%. |
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| Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com has responded to the Sutton Trust's findings that only one third of pupils understand tuition fees. The survey follows the launch of an independent taskforce, headed by Martin Lewis and former NUS President Wes Streeting, which will help tackle the myths and misunderstandings both good and bad surrounding the true cost of university education. Martin Lewis, says: "It's shocking how little pupils understand the system and this survey shows the mammoth scale of the job ahead. While I'm no fan of the change, it's important to realise no one needs to pay upfront, and because 2012 graduates will start repaying at £21,000, rather than the current £15,000, many are surprised to find they'll actually have more disposable income, not less, under the new system. The truth is while the headline figure of £50,000 fees is very scary, actually many people will never come close to repaying that." |
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Two ICG Fellows have co-written a new book designed to help graduates on their way to a successful career. Dr Judith Done, a Visiting Fellow at the University of Chester, and Professor Rachel Mulvey, Associate Dean of Psychology and holder of the Chair in Career Guidance at the University of East London, have produced the Brilliant Graduate Career Handbook, (Pearson). The book offers professional advice on career management, challenges assumptions and misinformed thinking and provides a good understanding of the graduate labour market. |
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A recent survey demonstrates that young people, employers and parents continue to be extremely positive about the service, and particularly its staff. |
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Graduates are working longer hours as they strive to get ahead in a tough labour market. Th e annual Real Prospects study asked 22,000 employed and self-employed graduates about their experiences of the world of work across all sectors. It explores how employers manage the transition between education and employment, and asks graduates what more universities could do to help students prepare for work, how they feel about their job and what career development support employers should offer. The research found that one in seven graduates is working more than 50 hours a week and this rises to 18% for those in London. |
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The government's new Work Programme was launched on Friday 10th June, is hoped will transform the lives of millions of people on long terms benefits. Billed as "the most ambitious back to work programme this country has ever seen" (Chris Grayling), it is hoped it will bring to an end a persistent problem which has defeated previous administrations of all persuasions. However, despite optimism of the government, the picture looks very different when seen through the eyes of employers. A recent survey by the People 1st Training Company revealed that a quarter of businesses are struggling to source the right people to fill vacancies. Currently in the UK, 2.4 million people are out of work yet some businesses are finding it hard to recruit staff. |
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A survey among students shows low levels of knowledge on financial products
The lack of financial understanding and knowledge amongst young people has been highlighted by research focused on financial products conducted as part of the Money for Life Programme, developed by Lloyds Banking Group (Lloyds) in partnership with the National Skills Academy for Financial Services (Skills Academy). Nearly 600 students from further education colleges were surveyed and a staggering 42.7% failed to realise that store cards represent a form of debt. The results showed an alarming lack of even basic financial understanding with 38% of students unable to explain the difference between a credit and debit card. Also, when it comes to protecting themselves with vital travel insurance, a massive 40% were oblivious to the risks they would face without it. |
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Deep-rooted structural problems won't be solved by recovery alone
This week the CBI unveiled detailed analysis of the UK labour market, which reveals deep-seated structural problems which will not be solved by a return to economic growth alone. The report, Mapping the route to growth: rebalancing employment, marks the start of a major new project for the CBI which will explore what is needed to get the UK working. By mapping the state of the labour market region-by-region1, the CBI's analysis reveals that the decade of growth before the recession masked entrenched problems, including pockets of long-term unemployment and inactivity, high public sector dependency and serious skills shortages. |
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| Analysis of the experience of ICG members illustrates that devastating cuts to the careers service in England are putting the futures of young people at risk. A report to be published shortly by the ICG based on a survey of members shows not only the extent of redundancies within the careers service/connexions, but also the impact this is having on the provision of essential careers guidance to young people at a critical time in their lives. The survey of members was carried out in February and March 2011. The findings, based on around 340 responses (representing a 12% response rate), present a snapshot of the situation prior to the latest round of cuts. |
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| "A framework for public information for the further education sector" is the title of the final report produced by NIACE as part of the Informing Choice, FE Public Information Project. The report has been written by NIACE on behalf of the project group which included AoC, ALP, Holex and NIACE with advice from 157 and IfL. This report now rests with BIS, the commissioners of the project and will be discussed at the next meeting of the National Improvement Partnership Board (NIPB) on Monday 13 June. |
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| www.cegnet.co.uk is the one stop website for teachers and advisers who provide careers education, information, advice and guidance. Once the Department for Education funded website for the national CEIAG support programme it is now jointly managed by Babcock, ACEG and the ICG as an independent resource for the careers profession. Hits on the website regularly peak at 6,000 a month and around 3,000 subscribers receive the monthly newsletter. |
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The further and higher education community and organisations interested in investigating the sector are being offered a new bespoke service from the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU). Developed initially to address the needs of careers services to examine the changing climate and answer key questions, HECSU Research Services has been extended to support the wider further and higher education community as well as any organisation with an interest in the graduate labour market and employability. HECSU Research Services includes: Help with questionnaire or research project design; Investigations of data sources; Surveys of student and graduate groups, employers, academic staff and Reviews of literature or service processes. |
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