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Scots struggling to secure graduate opportunities

Published: Wednesday, 18 August 2010   Category: All Graduate job news

The number of Scottish university leavers out of work as they attempt to secure a graduate placement increased last year, it has been suggested.

New figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency revealed that there were 1,380 unemployed graduates in 2008-09, compared to 1,155 in the previous year.

In addition, the proportion of Scottish students who stayed on a university to complete postgraduate courses rose by three per cent from 3,095 to 3,675.

A spokesman for Universities Scotland, which represents university principals, explained that the statistics are encouraging considering the fragile state of the economy at present.

"These figures are coming from a time when the recession was developing and, while it shows that fewer went into work, the changes are comparatively small and a lot better than predicted," he told Herald Scotland.

"Given that this was at a time when jobs were being shed across the economy, it shows that having a degree does protect you from the recession."

Meanwhile, Kia Motors revealed recently that it is set to take on five new graduates in the fourth quarter of 2010 as it looks to expand its workforce in the UK.

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