New research from The ISE shows that top firms are hiring more graduates, apprentices and school leavers but some of the data around how diverse the talent pool is shows there is still more work to be done in engaging all young people into top opportunties.
The number of hires overall has increased by 16%, up from 6% last year. The ISE survey shows that for those employers within their network the number of graduate jobs topped 17,667 outstripping apprenticeship numbers (5,499) and school leaver programmes (766). Employers recruited 7% more graduates (1% growth in 2017) and apprenticeship and school leaver programmes grew 50% (19% in 2017). There were also more summer and year-long internships this year, increasing 10% and 31% respectively. These organisations rehired an average of 52% of their interns and 43% of their summer placement students.
Whilst boosts to recruitment levels are a good sign for graduate intakes on every measure of diversity the numbers do not represent the UK population. Of particular interest is that only 57% of graduates appointed had a state-school education, compared to 91% of the population.
Employers in the survey rated diversity as a significant priority (96%) with many looking at how they can improve their marketing and attraction and recruitment and selection processes.
Youth Friendly Employers?
Youth Employment UK CEO, Laura-Jane Rawlings was invited to BBC Breakfast to discuss the findings. A boost in recruitment for young people is always positive to see but it is important that we put this in to context and ensure that these opportunties are not only available to certain groups of our young people.
We can see that employers are trying to do more but often need the support to help develop their internal systems to be more youth friendly. Our expertise in youth employment has led us to create the Youth Friendly Employer Award, a national kitemark for employers doing their bit to support young people from all backgrounds in to work. The Award gives guidance, best practice and practical support on how to build better systems for youth attraction, selection and retention.
