UK 'awash' with unemployable graduates

Friday, 16 January 2009 6:27 PM

By Laura Miller

British graduates lack the skills to succeed in the jobs market, according to a report published today.

The Commons' innovation, universities, science and skills committee called for immediate action on "the current policy of supplying skills and expecting businesses to utilise them, rather than tackling skills shortages or approaching skills as part of a wider national economic development plan".

Current practices "will not hold up in a shrinking economy", the report concluded.

At a press conference on Tuesday committee chairman Phil Willis condemned students for being too naive about their prospects. He called on them to choose subjects based on the demands of business, not their own interests.

"Students and universities must be much more realistic about the current jobs market and its employer led, demand-led skills focus," he said.

"We are awash with graduates without relevant skills and no jobs. They are highly skilled but not with the right skills."

Mr Willis, the Lib Dem MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, criticised the government for encouraging a culture of collecting qualifications.

"We need more people into work, rather than them just getting qualifications. People must have the appropriate skilling for our nation."

He questioned current thinking on education policy.

"Whether qualifications do in fact equal skills is still a point of debate. Qualifications are easy to measure but they don't necessary make a more prosperous economy."

The government announced plans this week for a graduate internship programme, where companies will pay graduates a reduced wage for three months of work experience.

"With the onset of a recession, it is more critical than ever that opportunities for education and training are widely available and utilised to meet the skills needs of the UK and help young people and those seeking to retrain to find suitable employment," said the National Union of Students' president Wes Streeting.

"We welcome the government's recognition of the harsh employment market conditions facing students who plan to graduate this summer, and although the offer of an internship is far less preferable than a permanent graduate job, it is critical that government takes such affirmative action to support graduates through the storm."

Unemployment is racing towards two million, with the highest numbers out of work since January 1982.

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• higher education