The Talent War 2015 Stephen Isherwood Chief Executive

The Metro

Fewer 18 yr olds for the next 5 years

Employers invest more in graduates 13.2% increase in graduate vacancies 3.7% increase in median starting salaries 3.3% rise in intern salaries to £321 a week 72.6% of employers offered internships Growth across the board – large & small firms

Top five high growth sectors  IT/Telecoms 27%  Public 23%  Construction22%  Engineering/Industry16%  Investment Banking12%

Vacancies unfilled – in a recession! Percentage of graduate recruiters with unfilled vacancies Source: AGR Winter Surveys %

Unfilled vacancies by sector

Why?

Did you know… 75% of AGR employer members don’t stipulate a degree discipline

What do employers want? An ability to work collaboratively with teams of people Excellent communication skills: both speaking and listening A high degree of drive and resilience An understanding of the political, economic, commercial issues affecting an organisation An ability to embrace multiple perspectives and challenge thinking A capacity to develop new skills and behaviours according to role requirements A high degree of self-awareness An ability to form professional networks An openness to and respect for a range of perspectives A willingness to play an active role in society at a local, national and sometimes international level.

Or put more simply… Can work with and get things done with other people Practical intelligence to think through problems clearly and deliver solutions A passion for your chosen industry/career The resilience to do difficult – sometimes dull – work in challenging, changing circumstances

The win/win of work experience Students with relevant work experience are more likely to get a job Internship students are more likely to accept and offer, stay longer and outperform peers

Future employees could be less work-ready Source: UKCES 2015 “The Death of the Saturday Job”.

The right work experience

Vacancies and interns by sector

Know thyself “The unexamined life is not worth living” Socrates

Break a few eggs

3 in 5 firms are addressing diversity

41.6% of graduate hires are female Source: AGR 2015 Annual Survey, 2010 Winter Survey 58.7% in talent pool

The skills gap Sources: CBI Education and Skills Survey 2014; Prospects and Work Ready Graduates, Exact wording of categories varies between surveys e.g. top green bar is “self-management/resilience” in CBI survey.

The future…