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| Fight for graduate jobs 'hits record high' in the UK | Fight for graduate jobs 'hits record high' in the UK |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Graduates in the UK are facing record competition for jobs - with an average of 83 applying for every vacancy - but the market is continuing to improve, a survey suggests. | Graduates in the UK are facing record competition for jobs - with an average of 83 applying for every vacancy - but the market is continuing to improve, a survey suggests. |
| Average applications per vacancy have risen from 69 in 2010, 49 in 2009 and 31 in 2008, the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) said. | Average applications per vacancy have risen from 69 in 2010, 49 in 2009 and 31 in 2008, the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) said. |
| Its bi-annual survey of 200 employers predicted a 2.6% rise in job numbers. | Its bi-annual survey of 200 employers predicted a 2.6% rise in job numbers. |
| Starting salaries had also risen for the first time in three years, it said. | Starting salaries had also risen for the first time in three years, it said. |
| The report shows a continuing upward trend in job opportunities for graduates, after a steep decline in the immediate wake of the financial crisis. | The report shows a continuing upward trend in job opportunities for graduates, after a steep decline in the immediate wake of the financial crisis. |
| However, growth is slower than the 8.9% increase AGR recorded in its January 2011 survey. | However, growth is slower than the 8.9% increase AGR recorded in its January 2011 survey. |
| 'Encouraging' | 'Encouraging' |
| The average starting salary for a graduate has increased by 2% to £25,500, the report said. | The average starting salary for a graduate has increased by 2% to £25,500, the report said. |
| Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, said the showed "very encouraging signs" for graduates, despite the rise in competition. | Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, said the showed "very encouraging signs" for graduates, despite the rise in competition. |
| "I am cautiously optimistic about today's findings, which provides a welcome indication that the graduate recruitment market is beginning to overcome the impact of the recession," he said. | "I am cautiously optimistic about today's findings, which provides a welcome indication that the graduate recruitment market is beginning to overcome the impact of the recession," he said. |
| But he added that the overall quality of applications had improved, and advised graduates to stress their transferable skills when applying for jobs. | But he added that the overall quality of applications had improved, and advised graduates to stress their transferable skills when applying for jobs. |
| Universities Minister David Willetts said despite tough competition for graduate jobs, university remained a worthwhile investment. | |
| "All the evidence I've seen has been that going to university by and large improves your job prospects," he told BBC Breakfast. | |
| "Graduate rates of employment are higher than for non-graduates and of course they're more likely to be in better paid jobs," he said. | |
| Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of vice-chancellors' umbrella group Universities UK, said the survey findings were "encouraging news". | |
| "Competition for some graduate positions remains intense, but the predicted rise in the number of graduate vacancies is positive," she said. | "Competition for some graduate positions remains intense, but the predicted rise in the number of graduate vacancies is positive," she said. |
| "UK graduates are still highly valued by employers. The UK is only going to compete globally on high-level skills," she said. | "UK graduates are still highly valued by employers. The UK is only going to compete globally on high-level skills," she said. |
| "Let's not forget that China, it's predicted, will be producing more graduates than Europe and the US combined by 2020." | "Let's not forget that China, it's predicted, will be producing more graduates than Europe and the US combined by 2020." |