Graduate unemployment 'at a 17-year high'

StevieJ

bristol_pilot wrote: »

We still have in Britain a few large companies that generate a lot of value, but apart from the high-tech end like Roll-Royce mostly these companies are only British in the sense of being quoted on the London stock exchange, the stuff is actually made in China.

I say again, the 6th largest manufacturing sector in the world, OK by value but we certainly don't have an outpost in China

bristol_pilot

oz0707 wrote: »

Are the kid's over educated for most of the jobs available now? ie 100 graduates, perhaps 60 jobs requiring a degree.

There is a view that there are too many graduates, but I think it would be defeatist to say that we should only educate the majority of school leavers to flip burgers because those are the only jobs available. Even if the kids didn't have degrees, there would still be too many of them. We ought to make a start on reducing the rise in the UK population, make a start by further curbs on immigration and reverse government policies that currently encourage 'breeding' large familes to obtain benefits. Too many people, not enough jobs. Not got a lot to do with degrees IMO.

Davesnave

Don't many students now acquire a background in employment as well as learning at university? I know both of my 'children' worked before and during their courses, taking a year out first to gain that real world experience. Now, the one who is still at uni, also has a job lined-up for all the holiday periods. It isn't a highly-paid position, but she has the skills that ensure it's there whenever she's available to do it.

This seems a pretty common approach to uni these days. Of course some people do still go there direct from school, and it appears that those who do, frequently regret it.

As for whether some unis are better than others, I'd have thought was obvious, but some are also much more focused on helping their graduates into work, appropriate to their specialsms and strengths.

oz0707

My cousin did work exp with a plumbing firm. They liked him and offered an apprenticeship for when he finished school. However although he enjoyed the work he turned this down and is now studying journalism at uni. He aimed to take a sports course but had a bit of a wobble late in 6th form and didnt get good enough grades. Managed to get this course in clearing. Will this lead to a job in journalism - time will tell. Will it lead to massive student debt - yes. I'm all for uni, if people are actively investing in their future, most seem to be on a jolly.

bristol_pilot

By contrast, geography and psychology graduates had a better than average chance of getting work.

This bit seems extraordinary. Geography and psychology are two subjects notorious for poor job prospects. I wonder whether the original source looked at current employment prospects relative to normal times rather than in absolute terms.

StevieJ

oz0707 wrote: »

My cousin did work exp with a plumbing firm. They liked him and offered an apprenticeship for when he finished school. However although he enjoyed the work he turned this down and is now studying journalism at uni. He aimed to take a sports course but had a bit of a wobble late in 6th form and didnt get good enough grades. Managed to get this course in clearing. Will this lead to a job in journalism - time will tell. Will it lead to massive student debt - yes. I'm all for uni, if people are actively investing in their future, most seem to be on a jolly.

I don't think there are many jobs in journalism these days, it is mainly regurgitated VI press releases and bizarre populist claptrap from the likes of the Daily Mail.

iinvestor

These are the same graduates whose parents and grandparents were "bribed" into voting new labour using tax credits, free bus pass, free swimming etc. well they weren't complaining then.

But, now the kids are older and want well paid jobs, they find out New labour exported them abroad and replaced them with public sector "non jobs".

Well this is what happens when you want short term rewards, instead of long term prosperity.