Objectives

• To conduct an AHECS led Survey to inform on current recruitment market trends

• To raise awareness of AHECS authority, on Graduate Career development, learning and employability

• To Promote AHECS links with Industry, Students and Academics and the supportive role it can play in devising policy and recruitment activity.

Approach

• Survey completed summer 2013• Companies selected from top recruiters in

2012/2013 period• Questionnaire on numbers recruited, salaries,

and employability skills• Identified 7 distinct labour market areas

Key Findings

• Graduate recruitment set to rise• Commerce & Engineering most sought after• Honours Degree minimum standard favoured• Salaries to remain static

Key Findings –Relevant Work Experience

• Relevant Work Experience as important as Academic Results when short listing.

Involvement with College Societies

Extra Curricular Involvements

Work Experience with the Company

Other Work Experience

Relevant Work Experience

Proven Employability Skills

Leaving Cert Results

Individual Subject Results

Overall Academic results

Relevance of Degree

0 20 40 60 80

The most important criteria when shortlisting graduates

Key Findings:- Employability Skills • Top: Team Work and Positive attitude, • followed by Business awareness and Communication &

literacy

Enterprise / Entrepreneurship

Positive Attitude

IT Skills

Application of Numeracy

Communication & Literacy

Problem Solving

Business & Customer Awareness

Teamwork

Self Management

0 20 40 60 80

Employability skills which are most important in graduate recruitment

Key Findings:- Employability Skills

• Skills to be worked on Self-management and Business awareness

• Along with Communication and Problem solving

Enterprise / Entrepreneurship

Positive Attitude

IT Skills

Application of Numeracy

Communication & Literacy

Problem Solving

Business & Customer Awareness

Teamwork

Self Management

0 20 40 60 80

Employability skills which need improvement in graduates

Development of Employability Skills

• Positive attitude: Should be “what I can do for the company” and not “What can you do for me”

• Involvement in a variety of activities essential “ …Ask a busy person”

• Keeping up to date on what is happening in industry rather then “cramming….”

What employers are saying“ Competition is increasing…., to

secure a job.. Need to be a good all rounder, .. Good results, get work

experience……”

“the more work experience gained, the more real estate that a candidate

has when it comes to applying for graduate roles”

“Attending training sessions provided by careers services… will help develop skills in areas not addressed academically…” “Positive attitude is everything

for a company and the right fit will be a person with the right

attitude….”

“learn a language..” “attention to detail” “Improve your IT skills

“learn how to sell yourself when making an application….”

The way forward……Our Graduates need to

• Be well-rounded individuals with a positive “can do” attitude

• Achieve Strong Academic results combined with relevant work experience

• Develop good team, and communication skills

• Have a good understanding and awareness of the industry they hope to build successful careers

How…

Recommend:-• Continued development of closer working

relationships with Academic Schools, Employers and Employer Groups

Provision of:-• Embedded Employability Skills Module in

Curriculum.• Work Placement Option in all degree

programmes