Recent figures have shown that over half of recent university graduates are in non-graduate roles.
Research by the CIPD indicates that 58.8% of graduates are currently in jobs that don’t require their degree, reflecting a disparity between the number of university graduates and the number of jobs requiring graduate-level skills.
The number of learners entering higher education rose consistently until 2010, when the higher tuition fee cap of £9000 came into place, but the number of graduate-level jobs has not risen in line with this, meaning a significant number of those with degrees are overqualified. The CIPD has stressed, however, that graduates aren’t necessarily more skilled than non-graduates, but rather have a different skillset, and are likely to be trained in different areas.
Not only are graduates struggling to find roles in their chosen sector, and matching their specific skillset, but the knock-on effect is that non-graduates are struggling more than ever to find work. Graduates are now filling roles aimed at non-graduates, while not necessarily having more of the skills required for that job.
The report concluded that university may now be an unnecessary step in a learner’s career, as it has failed to prepare over half of recent graduates for their current roles; it’s suggested that those in non-graduate roles were likely to be able to do the job just as competently without earning a degree. The CIPD has urged the government and relevant organisations to help young people understand their choices and, ultimately, fill the skills gap.
Following the publishing of the report, CIPD Chief Executive Peter Cheese commented: “The assumption that we will transition to a more productive, higher-value, higher-skilled economy just by increasing the conveyor belt of graduates is proven to be flawed.” The organisation has also released a career guide for parents, to help them understand the routes available to their children, and in turn to help them make an informed decision on their future.
It’s clear that university is still considered by many to be the default route through education, but this attitude has resulted in a workforce overqualified for the jobs available, and a significant skills gap in areas including construction and manufacturing.
Learners must be informed on all of the choices available to them following school and college; the CIPD has identified apprenticeships as a way to solve the skills gap crisis. Apprenticeships offer learners the opportunity to not only gain qualifications relevant to their future career, but to gain on-the-job training and earn while they learn. Not only that, but apprentices are more likely to be taken on by the company hiring them during their apprenticeship and if that fails to happen, they are guaranteed a number of interviews following completion of their apprenticeship.
As university becomes more difficult for disadvantaged learners to access, with the increase in tuition fees and the removal of the maintenance loan, it’s time learners were informed about their alternative options.
This September we’re launching CareerHow, a website dedicated to offering clear career paths to help young people progress into the jobs that they want. Your learners can sign up now, entering the career they’re interested in, then we’ll give them advice on the pathways they can take, how they can utilise their existing qualifications, and the qualifications they need to succeed.
What do you think – is this news any real surprise? Are you educating your learners on all options available to them, or are you delivering alternative programmes such as apprenticeships? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
