Why graduates are not prepared for the world of work

Leadership, negotiation and technical skills were among the areas grads said they felt ill-equipped in, cited by 34, 25 and 23 per cent of respondents respectively. He highlighted Graduate Recruitment Bureau research that suggested problem-solving, teamwork and interpersonal skills were the most in-demand among graduate hirers, with these soft skills just as important as academic achievement.

Three-quarters 75 per cent of graduates said they had undertaken work experience — paid and unpaid — while at university, and 51 per cent indicated this influenced their career choice. Half of businesses 48 per cent said relevant work experience was important when recruiting. Report reveals nearly three in five school leavers have changed their plans because of coronavirus, with more now planning to stay in education.

In a competitive graduate marketplace, firms are increasingly looking for applicants who have real world experience of the workplace. At Pearson College London our students can undertake at least one guaranteed internship, attend industry workshops, work overseas and take part in peer to peer mentoring. All of these opportunities give our students the chance to gain the vital skills employers are after and stand out in a competitive market.

About the survey: The findings come from a Pearson Business School survey of graduates and senior HR managers from across the UK, performed by polling company Survation. All figures, unless otherwise stated are from Survation. Graduates surveyed had graduated from a UK university, within the last five years.

The graduate sample size was and total HR manager sample size was But to profit from these, the existing workers in the organisations need to understand this and be willing to listen and try new things. Image by composita. Join thousands of other workplace professionals to receive regular updates and access premium content. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Subscribe for weekly updates straight to your inbox. Most read.