400, 000 students will graduate this summer
The University of Liverpool has launched a programme of week-long intensive boot camps for this summer’s graduates in order to boost their chances of securing a job.
With 400,000 students due to graduate this summer, and only around 20,000 graduate-level jobs on offer, 80 graduates are destined to compete for every vacancy. In some careers, the ratio is considerably higher. In 2009, fewer than 50 graduate-level jobs were created by the entire UK media industry despite the media being listed as the ideal career choice by 45,000 university students (1).
The IT sector is one career area which bucks the trend – despite the recession, graduates are continuing to turn away from jobs in computing and IT. In 2000, just over 11 per cent of UK graduates aspired to work in the computing sector. This year the figure stands at three per cent (2).
To boost graduates’ chances of success in the job market, the University’s Career’s Service is running a European-funded programme of week-long intensive management ‘boot camps’ throughout the summer for graduates from universities from across the UK. Run in partnership with a range of graduate recruiters, careers professionals, and industry leaders, the ‘Gradvantage’ programme aims to help graduates find jobs, focusing on how to build on a unique selling point and how to use high-value marketing techniques to give an edge at interviews and assessment centres.
Also covered in the programme are targeted workshops on making an impact; the secrets of constructing effective applications and CVs, as well as insider knowledge on how to improve psychometric test scores.
Dr Paul Redmond, Head of Careers and Employability at the University, said: “There is so much competition for graduate opportunities that it’s no longer enough to secure a good degree. Employers are looking for something that makes candidates stand out from the crowd. Work experience and extra-curricular activities have taken on new importance, as well as the ability to perform effectively and confidently in job interviews and assessment centres.
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He added: “Gradvantage combines essential career management skills with genuine insights into what employers are looking for. It’s a great programme for new graduates who want to give their career prospects a boost.”
Gradvantage is available to new graduates from all UK universities and there is no charge for attendance. The programme runs throughout the summer until September 2010. For further information, please contact Paul Redmond: 0151 794 8234 or via email: paul.redmond@liverpool.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
The University of Liverpool is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive institutions in the UK. It attracts collaborative and contract research commissions from a wide range of national and international organisations valued at more than £98 million annually.
(1) High Fliers Research, 2010
(2) High Fliers Research, 2010