London businesses are showing increasing concerns that their new graduate recruits aren’t up to snuff
Graduate recruitment may be rising, but London businesses are concerned over the readiness of their new recruits, according to a new survey.
Figures from a survey by the Confederation of British Industry and education business Pearson in April and May this year show that one in three London businesses upped their graduate recruitment in the past year.
However, 27 per cent say their new recruits lack skills like self-management and resilience, and 40 per cent say they are unhappy with graduates' levels of business and customer awareness.
Pearson College London principal Roxanne Stockwell said: “While there are encouraging signs of growth in graduate recruitment and the demand for higher-level skills in London, it is worrying that firms are finding that many graduates they recruit aren’t properly prepared for the world of work.
“Students are becoming more critical consumers of higher education and universities have a responsibility to meet this demand and ensure that students leave with the skills needed to succeed.
“We need more collaboration between universities and business, with courses designed, developed, delivered by industry, and opportunities for students to gain first-hand experience of business, through industry workshops and work placements.”
More than nine in 10 London businesses surveyed also said careers advice is of a poor quality, with many willing to play a greater role in providing advice services.