Employability Survey The UK graduate in the Indian job market - Initial findings

Research Background  It is evident from past student interactions at Education UK Exhibitions, outreach activities and other promotional activities that Indian students aspire to study at an International University to improve their career prospects, the most popular destinations are USA, UK, Australia and Singapore is an upcoming destination.  Currently there are over 31,000 Indian students studying in the UK.  HESA statistics reveal that Indian students are the second largest in number the UK after China.  Given this, the British Council engaged Taylor Nelsen Sofres (TNS), India to conduct a research study to understand the market value of a UK degree amongst Indian employers and give directions on how the UK can be positioned as a more attractive study destination.

Research Objectives  Brand UK amongst Indian employers – awareness, extent of awareness, experiences, market value of a UK degree.  The recruitment process that Indian employers comply to and their perspective about an overseas graduate.  Value perspective of UK graduates as opposed to students graduating from competition countries including India.

Approach Two Step Process: Qualitative Phase Quantitative Phase

Three main categories…. The Closed Typically Indian local / pure engineering companies that have never recruited foreign trained Have Basic criteria from hires- well met by Indian educational institutions The Inclined Large Indian/MNC Confident of attracting talent into their organization Indian institutes seen to provide excellent employee material The Open Either specialist consulting organizations or consultant functions within larger organizations Need special skills/ attributes from hires, not easily found in general

A Snapshot Typical Recruitment Process Attitude towards foreign educational recruits What’s holding them back? What can be done to increase employability? The Closed Not a regular process, at most an association with local college Use campus notices and newspaper ads Closed to the idea- consider Indian educated as hard working, well trained in subject matter, adjust well with working conditions Do not see relevance Would be very hard to gain access of any scale or size The Inclined Large scale regular recruitment processes Campus recruitments for freshers Consultants for mid & senior level Open to the idea- either open to recruit from top institutes or for specialized tasks or to “encourage diversity of thought” However, not ready to proactively look for foreign recruits – currently well serviced by Indian institutes Low awareness Perception that only those who can’t get placed come back No summer internship Delayed recruitment schedule Increase awareness, bring UK into consideration set Internship programs to help corporate interact with potential recruits Promote special ‘industry’ specific courses The Open On the look out on an on going basis Attend to applications through walk ins, websites and colleges who provide interns Have an experience with & actively seek foreign recruits Foreign educated recruits bring in a valuable skill set and a different way of working US fares better in terms of thought leadership, innovative, students’ attitude (more open, willing to learn & adjust) Australia also emerging as a threat Increase India specific courses and exposure to Indian working conditions Regain thought leadership Improve awareness among alumni of opportunities in India beyond merely the large Indian / foreign MNCs

Alumni: We looked at:  Incentives to foreign Education  Incentives to UK education  Experience in the UK  Worthiness of the degree

A Snapshot Key triggers to foreign education Key triggers to UKExperience at UK Worthiness of Degree The Farsighted Global exposure Impact on personality traits World ranking Cost effective All expectations meet Not able to get a good start (no job) Pay off expected in long term The Intellectual High Quality of education Global Exposure Heritage/ respect associated All expectations meet High- able to get the required knowledge of the domain, but low awareness of suitable career options in india The Easy Going Exploring & Experiencing life Global Exposure Easy entry One year course ‘light’ content Above expectations Not able to compete for the ‘tough’ jobs in India- desire an easier job with a better treatment

SWOT Strengths Spontaneous association with quality and respected education Association of leaders in humanity based courses (non-technical) Easy entry standards One year course Practical and research based teachings Lifestyle & culture Weakness Lack of job opportunities in UK No process for students to identify where they can apply in India, most end up struggling for a decent job Poor return on investment- salaries & designation at par with Indian educated students Opportunities UK & US perceived and associated with good quality education (better than Australia & Singapore) The easy standards (entry to country as well as entry to universities), match with pre requisite requirement for Indians Array of one year courses on offer Perception of ‘cost effective’ in comparison to US Threat Australia & Singapore are clearly perceived as a cheaper option (distance from India, tuition fee, cost of living) Job opportunities better in Australia & Singapore than in UK

So far  From the employers perspective, lack of awareness of universities, and courses offered by the UK is the main barrier to exploring the UK as a recruitment source  Inability to interact with students before hiring  US remains the preferred source for foreign educated recruits - greater awareness, better perception Initial recommendations  There is a need to build a ‘connect’ between employers & UK universities (students) via Internships, initiatives by University career services.  Employers are open to welcome University delegates for engagement.

Next steps  The quantitative stage of the study would cover the following aspects: Brand awareness Market motivators Hidden opportunities & savers Competition comparison Hygienic Findings related to other information areas  Importance of and satisfaction with each of these attributes to the stakeholders and therefore provide the next action steps.

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