GRADUATES STRUGGLE TO SECURE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR FIRST JOB
- graduates cannot afford to complete unpaid work experience -
Most graduates experience difficulty in securing the work experience required for their chosen
careers, according to a recent survey by Manpower, the UK's leading recruitment specialists.
Manpower's survey of 745 graduates found that 76% believe relevant work experience is necessary
to secure the job they want, however 79% say they cannot afford to secure this experience by working
for free on a placement.
Manpower UK's Operations Director for London, Jason Greaves says: "Many graduates need to undertake
work experience placements to compete in the marketplace and get the edge over the competition.
Employers looking to fill most graduate-level positions require some work experience on a successful
applicant's CV. However, many graduates cannot afford to gain this experience by working for a company
with no pay."
Greaves continues: "There are certain ways of combating this - for example, if graduates have no office
experience then they can undertake temporary work to get their office skills up to scratch. Our research
shows that 83% of graduates would consider a temporary position to gain relevant work experience, which
is a great way to try out a range of different industries and working environments, whilst earning much
needed money."
Andrew Bowerbank graduated from Sheffield University with a degree in Business Studies in 2004 and left
with almost £9,000 debt. Andrew was uncertain which career path he wanted to take, but knew he needed to
start earning, so he registered with Manpower and completed several temporary assignments to build up
his work experience. After gaining nine months of experience, Manpower found him a permanent job as a
Marketing Executive.
Andrew says: "Finding my first job wasn't easy. Employers were asking for experience - but this isn't
something that I could offer until I'd had my first job. It was frustrating, so I decided to register
with Manpower. They found me a temporary position straight away and after I’d gained some valuable work
experience and made some money, Manpower found me a permanent position - which I'm still thoroughly
enjoying."
-Ends-
Results based on Manpower survey of 745 graduates conducted in July / August 2006.
About Manpower
Manpower is one of the largest and most innovative companies in the UK's employment services industry;
creating and delivering services that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work. The
company provides a wide range of services including permanent, temporary and contract recruitment,
employee assessment and selection, training, outplacement, outsourcing and consulting.
Manpower was established in the UK in 1956, and today works with organisations in both the public and
private sectors, ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises, to multi-national organisations such
as BMW, BT, Hertfordshire County Council, IBM, Royal Mail and Xerox.
The focus of Manpower's work is on raising productivity through improved quality, efficiency and
cost-reduction, enabling customers to concentrate on their core business. Manpower works across
all industries finding people for every level of an organisation.
Manpower Professional is the company's specialist service providing search and selection for senior
appointments under its Executive arm, and accountancy and financial recruitment under its Finance arm.
It was formed by bringing together Nicholas Andrews (voted Recruiter of the Year by Accountancy Age
magazine in 2005), with Manpower's Senior Appointments division.
Manpower UK has a network of over 300 offices and is a subsidiary of Manpower Inc, a worldwide network
of 4,400 offices in 72 countries and territories.
