Post on 23-Dec-2015
Objectives
• To conduct an AHECS led Survey to inform on current recruitment market trends
• To raise awareness of AHECS authority, on Graduate Career development, learning and employability
• To Promote AHECS links with Industry, Students and Academics and the supportive role it can play in devising policy and recruitment activity.
Approach
• Survey completed summer 2013• Companies selected from top recruiters in
2012/2013 period• Questionnaire on numbers recruited, salaries,
and employability skills• Identified 7 distinct labour market areas
Key Findings
• Graduate recruitment set to rise• Commerce & Engineering most sought after• Honours Degree minimum standard favoured• Salaries to remain static
Key Findings –Relevant Work Experience
• Relevant Work Experience as important as Academic Results when short listing.
Involvement with College Societies
Extra Curricular Involvements
Work Experience with the Company
Other Work Experience
Relevant Work Experience
Proven Employability Skills
Leaving Cert Results
Individual Subject Results
Overall Academic results
Relevance of Degree
0 20 40 60 80
The most important criteria when shortlisting graduates
Key Findings:- Employability Skills • Top: Team Work and Positive attitude, • followed by Business awareness and Communication &
literacy
Enterprise / Entrepreneurship
Positive Attitude
IT Skills
Application of Numeracy
Communication & Literacy
Problem Solving
Business & Customer Awareness
Teamwork
Self Management
0 20 40 60 80
Employability skills which are most important in graduate recruitment
Key Findings:- Employability Skills
• Skills to be worked on Self-management and Business awareness
• Along with Communication and Problem solving
Enterprise / Entrepreneurship
Positive Attitude
IT Skills
Application of Numeracy
Communication & Literacy
Problem Solving
Business & Customer Awareness
Teamwork
Self Management
0 20 40 60 80
Employability skills which need improvement in graduates
Development of Employability Skills
• Positive attitude: Should be “what I can do for the company” and not “What can you do for me”
• Involvement in a variety of activities essential “ …Ask a busy person”
• Keeping up to date on what is happening in industry rather then “cramming….”
What employers are saying“ Competition is increasing…., to
secure a job.. Need to be a good all rounder, .. Good results, get work
experience……”
“the more work experience gained, the more real estate that a candidate
has when it comes to applying for graduate roles”
“Attending training sessions provided by careers services… will help develop skills in areas not addressed academically…” “Positive attitude is everything
for a company and the right fit will be a person with the right
attitude….”
“learn a language..” “attention to detail” “Improve your IT skills
“learn how to sell yourself when making an application….”
The way forward……Our Graduates need to
• Be well-rounded individuals with a positive “can do” attitude
• Achieve Strong Academic results combined with relevant work experience
• Develop good team, and communication skills
• Have a good understanding and awareness of the industry they hope to build successful careers
How…
Recommend:-• Continued development of closer working
relationships with Academic Schools, Employers and Employer Groups
Provision of:-• Embedded Employability Skills Module in
Curriculum.• Work Placement Option in all degree
programmes